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# Bert Martinez

Build Authority, Credibility and Trust!

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## Posts

- [What We Can Learn From the Demise of MySpace.com](https://bertmartinez.com/what-we-can-learn-from-the-demise-of-myspace-com/) - What We Can Learn From the Demise of MySpace In 2006, MySpace did the unthinkable. It surpassed Google to become the most visited website in the United States. It was valued at more than $12 billion, generated enormous engagement, and felt untouchable. Six years later, it was sold for just $35 million. Today, it survives
- [Google’s AI Push and Why SEO Just Got Harder](https://bertmartinez.com/googles-ai-push-and-why-seo-just-got-harder/) - 🔑 Highlights Google disables &num=100, breaking rank tracking and inflating SEO costs. Chrome omnibox AI delivers instant answers, increasing zero-click searches. 87.7% of sites saw impression drops in GSC after bot traffic was filtered. Spam update fallout shows need for proactive audits and quality signals. SEO strategy must shift toward natural questions, not isolated keywords.
- [High Performers Master Two Types of Decisions](https://bertmartinez.com/high-performers-master-two-types-of-decisions/) - Jeff Bezos Says High Performers Master Two Types of Decisions When Amazon crossed the $1 trillion valuation mark in 2018, it wasn’t luck. Jeff Bezos built Amazon into a global powerhouse by developing a disciplined approach to decision-making, one he explained in his 2015 shareholder letter. According to Bezos, leaders face two fundamentally different types
- [How to Get a Million Dollars Worth of Publicity—For Free!](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-get-a-million-dollars-worth-of-publicity-for-free/) - Lessons from the Man Who Sold the Brooklyn Bridge Most business owners dream of landing a feature story in Forbes, getting mentioned on CNN, or seeing their product splashed across the front page of a major newspaper. For most, it feels like a fantasy reserved for celebrities or Fortune 500 companies with million-dollar ad budgets.
- [Zero Resistance Selling: How to Erase Buyer Objections](https://bertmartinez.com/zero-resistance-selling-how-to-erase-buyer-objections/) - For decades, sales training has focused on one primary skill: overcoming objections. Salespeople were trained like gladiators—armed with scripts, rebuttals, and relentless persistence. The common mantra was, “If they’ve got a wallet and a pulse, you should be able to close them.” But this combat approach is exhausting—for both salesperson and prospect. It creates a
- [How to Build Trust Quickly With Customers: The Power of Free!](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-build-trust-quickly-with-customers-the-power-of-free/) - People do business with those they know, like, and trust. The faster you can build that trust, the faster you win customers. So how do you get people to know, like, and trust you faster? Simple: remove the risk.The less risk a customer feels, the more likely they are to take the first step. The
- [Tips for Effective Communication](https://bertmartinez.com/tips-for-effective-communication/) - Effective communication is essential to ones career growth. It includes both conveying messages clearly and receiving messages clearly from others. Communications skills help you when presenting a weekly report to your team, completing a sales call to a possible client, emailing your boss, or chatting with coworkers. Although each situation requires a unique approach, there are some general communication tips that apply to all types of audiences.
- [7 best ways to bring traffic to your website](https://bertmartinez.com/26-ways-to-bring-traffic-to-your-website/) - Like most website owner, we want to bring targeted traffic to our website. Listed below are 7 best ways that we have found and tested to drive more traffic to their websites. 1) Write Articles: Writing articles and submitting them to article directories is another splendid way of getting a lot of quality back links
- [HOW TO: Leverage LinkedIn for Your SEO Campaign](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-leverage-linkedin-for-your-seo-campaign/) - Try targeting blogs as link resources. Not only do people trust blogs, they’re one of the most effective ways to both build . . .
- [Twitter & Facebook Are A Waste Of Time!](https://bertmartinez.com/twitter-facebook-is-a-waste-of-time/) - For the most part social media is pretty hyped up, and the hype is confusing a lot pf people - it's like chewing gum for a business, a lot of activity with no productivity.
- [Increasing Sales and Brand Name With Press Releases](https://bertmartinez.com/increasing-sales-and-brand-name-with-press-releases/) - Discover how to create effective press releases that help your company, product and services to get found faster and sell more.
- [The 10 Emotional Triggers That Sell: How to Influence Buying Decisions With Emotions](https://bertmartinez.com/the-10-emotional-triggers-that-sell-how-to-influence-buying-decisions-with-emotions/) - 10 Emotional Triggers That Sell: How to Influence Buyers with Psychology People don’t buy products. They buy feelings. Whether it’s peace of mind, status, or belonging, every purchase decision is driven by emotions first and logic second. If you want to influence, persuade, or close sales consistently, you need to speak directly to those emotions.
- [Non-Competes, Yes or No!](https://bertmartinez.com/non-competes-yes-or-no/) - Summary: In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a sweeping final rule banning nearly all post‑employment non‑compete agreements nationwide, aimed at freeing up job mobility, boosting wages, and sparking innovation. The rule was published and scheduled to take effect on September 4, 2024. However, before it could go into effect, multiple federal courts, including in Texas, Florida, and elsewhere,
- [The Digital Checkout Experience: What Customers Expect in 2025](https://bertmartinez.com/the-digital-checkout-experience-what-customers-expect-in-2025/) - Nobody loves the checkout experience. It's the part where people are ready to give you money, but also the moment when the smallest hiccup can make them change their mind. There is a reason that there is a high rate of abandoned carts when shopping online in 2025, customers expect the digital checkout experience to
- [What Your New Business Needs (That You Haven't Thought of Yet)](https://bertmartinez.com/what-your-new-business-needs-that-you-havent-thought-of-yet/) - As you start planning the first steps for a new business in the US, there is a lot to consider. Among the most obvious points are having a solid business plan and financial resources. However, some less obvious points definitely require your attention, too. Here are some things your new business needs that you may
- [Tips For Pitching To New Clients](https://bertmartinez.com/tips-for-pitching-to-new-clients/) - When you run a business, one of the most important things you need to do is always bring in new clients. While your current clients might be great, you never know how long they will last and you don’t want to just have one or two main income sources. To stop this being an issue,
- [How To Give Your Customers A Better In-Store Experience](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-give-your-customers-a-better-in-store-experience/) - A successful business must rely on several key factors. However, satisfying customer expectations should be an ongoing priority. Without this, the success of other metrics will be futile. While getting them through the doors of your business is a positive step, it counts for little if they do not complete a purchase. So, what are
- [Apple expands 30% fee on all Meta platforms](https://bertmartinez.com/apple-expands-30-fee-on-all-meta-platforms/) - Apple expands 30% fee on Facebook and Instagram ads globally Apple is expanding its 30% fee on Facebook and Instagram ad purchases made through iOS devices to advertisers worldwide, starting July 1. Apple is set to extend its 30% fee on Facebook and Instagram ad purchases made through iOS devices to advertisers worldwide, starting
- [Four Questions That Will Transform Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/four-questions-that-will-transform-your-business/) - https://bertmartinez.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4-questions-to-transform-your-business-and-goals.mp4 Connect with Bert: YouTube | Twitter | Instagram Get a Free Copy of Dominating Your Mind: https://amzn.to/2XuM9Xr - While supplies last, limited time. About the host: Bert Martinez is a successful entrepreneur and best-selling author. Bert is fascinated by business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. One of Bert's favorite hobbies is to transform the complicated into simple-to-understand lessons so you can apply
- [Project Managing Your New Business Premises: What You Need To Know](https://bertmartinez.com/project-managing-your-new-business-premises-what-you-need-to-know/) - As a business, you do get to the stage where you need to move on from a small working environment. A lot of businesses start in the home, and this can be great for those first initial steps, but at the same time, you may want to look at moving on and making more from
- [A Look at the Benefits of Money-Back Guarantees in Modern Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/a-look-at-the-benefits-of-money-back-guarantees-in-modern-marketing/) - Customers like the "pro" of risk reduction for trying your product; but, beware the "con": Some may try to manipulate you. In pursuit of gaining a competitive advantage in crowded industries, many brands offer money-back guarantees. The idea is that they build trust with customers and remove any unnecessary friction from the conversion funnel. But,
- [The 3 Questions You Must Answer to Make Your Brand Stand Out](https://bertmartinez.com/the-3-questions-you-must-answer-to-make-your-brand-stand-out/) - In today's competitive markets, brands need to stand out to avoid a price war and a race to the bottom. Your uniqueness is there; you just have to find it. Here's how. There's never been a more crucial time to differentiate your business, whether you sell on Amazon, drop ship, own an e-commerce store or
- [How to Generate Leads in 2024 When Cold Acquisition, Emails and Trade Shows Don't Work Anymore](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-generate-leads-in-2024-when-cold-acquisition-emails-and-trade-shows-dont-work-anymore/) - Trying to get traction, but nothing seems to work? Try this fresh approach. Key Takeaways Strategies to help you generate more leads and stand out from the crowd in the upcoming year Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Most advice on generating leads rehashes the same old tired ideas that have been around for years,
- [5 Ways to Earn Your Team's Respect as a Young Leader](https://bertmartinez.com/5-ways-to-earn-your-teams-respect-as-a-young-leader/) - New to a leadership role? Learn how to avoid common missteps and command real respect from seasoned colleagues right from the start. Key Takeaways Make it a priority early on to have plenty of one-on-one conversations where you ask thoughtful questions and give people time to fully express themselves. Even the most seasoned leaders are
- [Ignorance or Arrogance? How Good Leaders Handle Uncertainty in entrepreneurship is a given, but you don't have to respond with ignorance or arrogance.](https://bertmartinez.com/ignorance-or-arrogance-how-good-leaders-handle-uncertainty-uncertainty-in-entrepreneurship-is-a-given-but-you-dont-have-to-respond-with-ignorance-or-arrogance/) - Key Takeaways Entrepreneurs are often exposed to unsolicited noise, and you need to protect yourself from all the chatter when it's coming from people with insights you don't want or need. Ignorance will steer you astray, and arrogance will alienate you from others who could offer valuable perspectives. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are
- [Scammers Found a New Way to Steal Money From Your Gift Cards This Holiday Season — Here's What to Look For](https://bertmartinez.com/scammers-found-a-new-way-to-steal-money-from-your-gift-cards-this-holiday-season-heres-what-to-look-for/) - A woman in Chicago fell victim to a "card draining" scam at her local Target. A new scam involving gift cards has been plaguing customers around the U.S. — just in time for the holiday rush. A Colorado woman named Suzanne Gdovic fell victim to a scam called "card draining," where hackers drain funds
- [Are Your Christian Holidays Excluding Your Staff? DEI Expert Reveals How We Can Equitably Handle Time Off For The Company.](https://bertmartinez.com/are-your-christian-holidays-excluding-your-staff-dei-expert-reveals-how-we-can-equitably-handle-time-off-for-the-company/) - Before you hit "deny" on that PTO request, make sure you aren't saying no to someone's religious holiday needs. There are three religious and cultural holidays in December that may have slipped your mind. t's that time of the year again when "Let's circle back in the new year" is the recurring mantra around the
- [Biden has big plans for semiconductors. But there's a big hole: not enough workers](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-has-big-plans-for-semiconductors-but-theres-a-big-hole-not-enough-workers/) - Liam Levinson spent the past few years working in restaurant kitchens where he says "they work you to the bone" for not enough pay. So, when the 28-year-old came across an article in a tech magazine about a potential boom in Arizona semiconductor jobs, he was intrigued. "It involves two elements I'm very comfortable
- [Beyond the paycheck: The key to building a thriving workplace goes beyond salaries](https://bertmartinez.com/beyond-the-paycheck-the-key-to-building-a-thriving-workplace-goes-beyond-salaries-2/) - Today’s news is filled with stories highlighting salary figures, from sky-high CEO compensation packages to boards trying to hide CEO pay increases during periods of austerity, to governments interfering with collective bargaining over wage increases and unions securing pay hikes. Some provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia, are also mandated to release annual sunshine lists of public sector workers who earn above $100,000 —
- [How branding 101 can make leaders more mindful of diversity](https://bertmartinez.com/how-branding-101-can-make-leaders-more-mindful-of-diversity/) - A few years ago, I overheard two of my MBA students talking after class about their “personal brands.” At the time, I was amused. But then I kept hearing more about this notion of “my brand.” I noticed it was the subject of articles in Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Suddenly, I saw book upon book devoted to the topic. The conversation
- [Advertising toys to children is an environmental nightmare – here’s how parents can deal with it](https://bertmartinez.com/advertising-toys-to-children-is-an-environmental-nightmare-heres-how-parents-can-deal-with-it/) - As Christmas approaches, many children experience the “gimme-gimmes” and write a list of toys that they hope Santa will bring. This is to be expected. Toys give children a chance to learn and be curious, engage their imaginations in play and become socialised with others. Unfortunately, 80% of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators or the
- [5 marketing lessons from the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance](https://bertmartinez.com/5-marketing-lessons-from-the-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-romance/) - What happens when you unite the biggest pop star in the world and a two-time Super Bowl champion? A whole lot of excitement, as the romance of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has shown. But amid all the cheering, canoodling and Instagram flirting, the situation lends some useful insights into marketing – and as an expert in sports
- [Fresh Content: How To Keep Your Team of Technicians At Their Best](https://bertmartinez.com/fresh-content-how-to-keep-your-team-of-technicians-at-their-best/) - If your company is delivering a service that requires technicians to carry tasks out, it’s important to try and keep the team confident that they can carry out what is required. For example, if you’re running a company that rents out technology and solutions to other companies for events, you’re going to need people
- [Why we must completely rethink how to communicate at work](https://bertmartinez.com/why-we-must-completely-rethink-how-to-communicate-at-work/) - Whether it’s office email, collaborative apps or the break room noticeboard, internal workplace communications have the potential to go very wrong, very quickly. Google engineer James Damore recently found this out to his cost after colleagues leaked a Google Doc he shared about the company’s approach to diversity, leading to his eventual dismissal. Of course, misjudged workplace missives
- [Thinking about quiet quitting? Here’s why – and how – you should talk to your boss instead](https://bertmartinez.com/thinking-about-quiet-quitting-heres-why-and-how-you-should-talk-to-your-boss-instead/) - Quiet quitting is a catchy name, popularised on social media, for something we’ve all probably done. Its popularity is probably down to the inevitable and much-needed pushback against “hustle culture”, where younger workers are encouraged to over-function and engage in unsustainable “performative productivity” – looking like you are working harder than you are –
- [Rural communities are being left behind because of poor digital infrastructure, research shows](https://bertmartinez.com/rural-communities-are-being-left-behind-because-of-poor-digital-infrastructure-research-shows/) - In an era where businesses and households depend on the internet for everything from marketing to banking and shopping, the lack of adequate digital access can be a significant hurdle. And our recent research shows that many homes and businesses in the UK are being left stranded in the digital age. Our two studies focused on a rural
- [4 business lessons from the Boston Tea Party](https://bertmartinez.com/4-business-lessons-from-the-boston-tea-party/) - December 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, one of the most famous events leading up to the Revolutionary War. On the night of Dec. 16, 1773, Colonists marched aboard three ships and threw more than 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. No one died, and the only things injured were the tea leaves, but this
- [How to Protect and Retain Control Over Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-protect-and-retain-control-over-your-business/) - Many founders believe that as their business scales, they need to give control to stakeholders. It's simply not true. Recently, I was in a Zoom meeting where a founder was panicking at the prospect of closing his Series A. I was taken aback as I expected him to be proud of this achievement. Immediately, I
- [The No. 1 Reason Most Businesses Never Scale and Often Fail](https://bertmartinez.com/the-no-1-reason-most-businesses-never-scale-and-often-fail/) - Businesses that fail don't understand who their perfect customer is. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The number one reason most businesses never scale and ultimately fail is that they don't understand who their perfect customer is. In other words, who they want to be a hero for. In this article, I'll show
- [How to Craft Irresistible Offers Your Ideal Clients Can't Refuse](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-craft-irresistible-offers-your-ideal-clients-cant-refuse/) - Your success (and your impact on others) is directly related to your ability to create offers that attract your ideal clients and customers. This guide will show you how. As entrepreneurs, we work hard every day to create a difference in the lives of others. Our impact then is directly related to our ability
- [How to Stay Motivated to Start a Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-stay-motivated-to-start-a-business/) - At the base of every business is the ardor and dedication of an entrepreneur with a goal. Working for yourself is an incredible feat that can be extremely challenging. Many resolutions rest on your shoulders, like the structure of your business, company culture and even whether your company continues to run. It’s a lot for
- [How Business Community Is Making CEO Life Less Ghastly](https://bertmartinez.com/how-business-community-is-making-ceo-life-less-ghastly/) - Everyone knows that life as a CEO is awful. As Elon Musk’s friend once put it, “It’s like chewing on glass while staring into the abyss.” No doubt that phrase struck a chord with the Tesla CEO, given his numerous “production hell” and “development hell” experiences over the years, not to mention nearly going bankrupt in 2009.
- [Compelling Reasons Driving Today’s Unprecedented Career Shifts](https://bertmartinez.com/compelling-reasons-driving-todays-unprecedented-career-shifts/) - Coined in 2022, the Great Resignation sums up exactly what was happening in the workforce. Highly skilled, knowledgeable employees were handing in their resignations to their high-paying careers. A huge 40% of the workforce at the start of 2021 considered leaving their role for a lesser-paid role or for no job at all – an unprecedented
- [How Can One Improve Their Skills as a Business Owner?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-can-one-improve-their-skills-as-a-business-owner/) - The world of business can be competitive and a business owner needs to be prepared completely differently than employees. This environment means you need to constantly hone your skills to increase your chance of success. And to stay in the game long-term. Many can start businesses but it’s difficult to make them profitable as well as
- [Weathering the Storm Through the Art of Crisis Leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/weathering-the-storm-through-the-art-of-crisis-leadership/) - When South African leader Nelson Mandela shattered institutionalized racism in South Africa, he demonstrated remarkable calm, strategic thinking, and resilience through 27 years of imprisonment — marks of a true crisis leader. Crises, whether natural disasters, economic downturns, or unforeseen emergencies, can disrupt and even shatter organizations and communities. How leaders respond to these challenges can mean the
- [How to Create Sustainability Goals for Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-create-sustainability-goals-for-your-business/) - Practicing sustainability in your business gives you a course that enables you to make more money, improve your reputation, and protect the environment all at the same time. But if you want your sustainability strategy to work, you need to have measurable goals to achieve. How do you set these sustainability goals for your business appropriately?
- [Empowering Youth Through Tender’s Vibrant Rebrand](https://bertmartinez.com/empowering-youth-through-tenders-vibrant-rebrand/) - Tender’s Refreshed Logo and Branding Design firm Osch recently unveiled an uplifting and heartwarming logo and branding refresh for Tender, a UK-based domestic abuse and sexual violence charity. Established in 2003, Tender employs drama, art, and media to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence. The organization’s distinctive arts-driven initiatives aim to support over 30,000 young individuals
- [5 Unconventional Ways to Find a Home for Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/5-unconventional-ways-to-find-a-home-for-your-business/) - Several qualities prevent a commercial real estate transaction from being quite as straightforward as one involving a piece of residential property. When you’re trying to find a home for your business, you aren’t necessarily looking to own it. Likewise, location is hugely critical because you’re not just thinking about nearby points of interest but
- [Boost Your Productivity with Coworking Spaces to Prevent Burnout](https://bertmartinez.com/boost-your-productivity-with-coworking-spaces-to-prevent-burnout/) - Protection against burnout is important and helps not to lose valuable employees, but at the same time increase their productivity. This story originally appeared on Under30CEO.com. People who work remotely often overwork. In just roughly two months, there is every chance of professional burnout. An interesting paradox arises: when a person spends a couple of hours traveling to
- [Transform Your Sales Team and Generate a Steady Stream of Revenue Using This Proven Framework](https://bertmartinez.com/transform-your-sales-team-and-generate-a-steady-stream-of-revenue-using-this-proven-framework/) - Building a reliable sales machine is vital to win in a complex business environment. Here are some tips on how to do it successfully. Key Takeaways What is predictable revenue? The key components of the predictable revenue framework Tips for mastering predictable revenue Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Predictable revenue is the
- [His Side Hustle Solved a Common Problem for Homeowners. Now the Business Brings in $3 Million a Month During Peak Season.](https://bertmartinez.com/his-side-hustle-solved-a-common-problem-for-homeowners-now-the-business-brings-in-3-million-a-month-during-peak-season/) - GreenPal co-founder Gene Caballero had always been drawn to the "allure of entrepreneurship." Key Takeaways Gene Caballero saw an opportunity to innovate in the landscaping industry. GreenPal connects landscapers to clients across the U.S., like an "Uber for lawncare." This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features GreenPal co-founder Gene Caballero. Founded in 2012, GreenPal is a Nashville-based online
- [7 Passive Income Ideas to Make Money and Build Wealth in 2024](https://bertmartinez.com/7-passive-income-ideas-to-make-money-and-build-wealth-in-2024/) - Looking to start a side hustle for some extra money in 2024? Check out these seven internet-based home businesses to get you motivated. It is no secret that many people are struggling to get through these current economic times, but with just a laptop, webcam, strong internet connection and some effort, you can earn some
- [Creative Insights On Entrepreneurial Marketing When You Have Little To No Budget](https://bertmartinez.com/creative-insights-on-entrepreneurial-marketing-when-you-have-little-to-no-budget/) - If you have started a company or currently work in one, you might think you need a big budget to do your marketing. Well, let’s assume you have very little or no marketing budget. The reality, quite often, is that the highest quality marketing is often a shade of free. For example, spending money
- [The Corporate Transparency Act: Franchisors And Franchisees Need To Comply With New Federal Reporting Obligation Effective January 2024](https://bertmartinez.com/the-corporate-transparency-act-franchisors-and-franchisees-need-to-comply-with-new-federal-reporting-obligation-effective-january-2024/) - The CTA was passed into law January 1, 2021, by the U.S. Congress. A component of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, the CTA is intended to combat the use of ‘shell’ companies in the commission of money laundering, terrorist financing, financial and tax fraud and other domestic and international illicit activity
- [The World’s Most Powerful Women 2023: Are Women Key To Solving The Global Leadership Crisis?](https://bertmartinez.com/the-worlds-most-powerful-women-2023-are-women-key-to-solving-the-global-leadership-crisis/) - From Taylor Swift’s dramatic rise to the precarious nature of political power, the 2023 list reveals a complex picture of women’s influence in a volatile world. Forbes' 20th annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women reveals a complex picture of female power. This year’s list spotlights a dynamic array of leaders from diverse
- [Adopting a Mindset Change: From Fixed to Growth](https://bertmartinez.com/adopting-a-mindset-change-from-fixed-to-growth/) - People believe their basic qualities—like their intelligence or talent—are simply fixed traits when they possess a fixed mindset. They will document their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They may also believe that talent alone creates success without effort. People in a fixed mindset believe you either are or aren’t good at something,
- [Reach New Levels of Productivity By Treating Your Personal Life Like a Work Project](https://bertmartinez.com/reach-new-levels-of-productivity-by-treating-your-personal-life-like-a-work-project/) - Just as in business, managing personal time to emphasize efficiency and efficacy pays off in remarkable ways. Key Takeaways Define objectives and create deliverables. Learn how — and what — to prioritize. Curate your schedule. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If you audit time in terms of what you said you'd accomplish versus what
- [The Power of Writing Down Your Goals](https://bertmartinez.com/the-power-of-writing-down-your-goals/) - With the New Year right around the corner, it's time to think about just exactly what you want to achieve in 2017. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Everyone wants to be great and reach achievement milestones, but not everyone is willing to commit to the grueling process that being great requires. Many
- [7 Steps to Achieving Any Goal in Life](https://bertmartinez.com/7-steps-to-achieving-any-goal-in-life/) - SMARTER goals will help you make almost any dream a reality. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. We all have goals in life. Each one of us wants to achieve something, whether great or small, at some point in our lives. We have deep-seated hopes and dreams for the future and a burning
- [Don't Fall Victim to a Digital Hitman — Here Are 6 Ways to Protect Your Online Reputation From Fake Reviews](https://bertmartinez.com/dont-fall-victim-to-a-digital-hitman-here-are-6-ways-to-protect-your-online-reputation-from-fake-reviews/) - Safeguarding your online reputation has become paramount, yet all it takes to damage it is just one little fictional allegation. Protecting yourself from fake reviews requires a strategic defense plan, built on active monitoring, reviews verification and counteraction. Key Takeaways Crafting a strategic defense 1. Vigilance: Sentinel of security 2. Verification: Distinguishing fact from fiction
- [4 Online Fraud Concerns for Retailers this Holiday Season and How to Protect Yourself Against Them](https://bertmartinez.com/4-online-fraud-concerns-for-retailers-this-holiday-season-and-how-to-protect-yourself-against-them/) - The end-of-the-year holiday season, a.k.a. the shopping season, is the time when online retailers suffer the most from fraud attempts. Being aware of the different types of fraud online retailers are exposed to is the first step in protecting against them. Key Takeaways U.S. retailers face increased fraud risks during the holiday season amid rising
- [What Are SMART Goals and How Can You Set and Achieve Them?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-are-smart-goals-and-how-can-you-set-and-achieve-them/) - These five steps will help you determine the attainable goals that will have the biggest impact on your company. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Chances are, you've come across the phrase "SMART goals" before while reading entrepreneurial content on the web. Search Google for "smart goals business" and you'll get over 260
- [4 Keys to Successful and Lasting Entrepreneurship](https://bertmartinez.com/4-keys-to-successful-and-lasting-entrepreneurship/) - From enhanced learning strategies to crisis planning, here's how to stay on a steady growth and longevity track. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Congratulations if you're an entrepreneur blazing a trail of success and are more than three years into a startup. You've done a lot right, not least in your leadership and growth strategies.
- [How an Executive Coach Can Help You Set Better Goals — And Transform Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-an-executive-coach-can-help-you-set-better-goals-and-transform-your-business/) - Ways to enhance your competitive advantage — and psychological wellbeing — with the assistance of a seasoned, results-focused professional. Key Takeaways Business coaching is an invaluable asset for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to achieve professional and personal goals through strategy, skill development and accountability. Choosing the right business coach requires a diligent vetting process, including
- [5 In-Demand Technical Skills Every Aspiring Leader Needs In 2024](https://bertmartinez.com/5-in-demand-technical-skills-every-aspiring-leader-needs-in-2024/) - If you're aspiring to a more senior role within leadership or management in the coming year, it's important to remember that you need a strong balance of hard, technical skills, and soft skills, to be outstanding in your position. Successful leaders thrive because they possess the so-called "soft skills" that include interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence,
- [Feel Pressure To Work After Hours? You May Be Less Productive, Not More.](https://bertmartinez.com/feel-pressure-to-work-after-hours-you-may-be-less-productive-not-more/) - How’s this for irony? Slack, whose workplace messaging app has at some point prompted many employees to feel the tug of responding after hours, has a warning: People who feel obligated to work after hours also tend to be less productive. New survey data from Slack’s Workplace Lab, which queried some 10,000 desk-based employees, found that people who
- [What’s Killing X? It’s Not Much Of A Mystery](https://bertmartinez.com/whats-killing-x-its-not-much-of-a-mystery/) - Plus: Meta Fights Political Polarization And Is Targeted By European Consumer Groups, The Unconventional Branding Of Tesla’s Cybertruck, And Brutal Toy Licensing Fights Elon Musk has done a great job of making people pay attention to how he’s running X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter. However, in this case, that attention cannot possibly
- [Advertising Has Changed And So Should You](https://bertmartinez.com/advertising-has-changed-and-so-should-you/) - The advertising landscape has rapidly shifted over time since the evolution of traditional streams, like print and television. The first television commercial aired in the U.S. in 1941; it was a shaky 10-second image. Fast forward to the extensive and rapidly changing environment of digital and social media today, and more than 6 billion people in the world have
- [4 Tips for Reengaging Past Clients](https://bertmartinez.com/4-tips-for-reengaging-past-clients/) - One of the best ways to drum up new business or sales is to reengage past clients. Former customers who haven’t done business with you for a while are an excellent source of leads and sales. Getting sales from people who already know, like, and trust your business is easier and less expensive than finding
- [7 Things Entrepreneurs Should Know About Sales and Marketing Today](https://bertmartinez.com/7-things-entrepreneurs-should-know-about-sales-and-marketing-today/) - 1. Marketing and data go hand in hand. Today, marketers must be analytical, make data-driven decisions and provide measurable results. If your marketing team doesn’t have the insight to measure ROI for digital marketing campaigns, they can’t possibly prioritize one campaign over another, let alone tie campaigns to revenue. For example, marketers are quick to invest
- [The Psychology of Sales](https://bertmartinez.com/the-psychology-of-sales/) - Why do people buy? Understanding and relating to your customer’s needs is the cornerstone of good marketing. People want to be understood, and being able to relate on a social level can increase your chance of making the sale. How psychology is used in selling Sales psychology is a type of process that involves considering the
- [Changing Perception: Simple Ways to Improve Your Customers’ Waiting Experience](https://bertmartinez.com/changing-perception-simple-ways-to-improve-your-customers-waiting-experience/) - How to improve customers’ in-person waiting experience Here are four tips for upgrading your reception area and making waiting a more positive experience for your customers. 1. Provide entertainment to engage waiting customers. Distraction is an excellent way to keep your clients from fretting about wait times. Outfit your waiting area with amenities to keep
- [How To Approach Working With High-Profile Clients](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-approach-working-with-high-profile-clients/) - It can be tricky when you start working with high-profile clients. Are there things I shouldn’t ask? Should I respond immediately? Can I tell other people about my client? These are a few questions you may have. But don’t worry, I spoke with a revered litigator with decades of experience. Mathew Rosengart, a shareholder in the
- [What Having a “Growth Mindset” Actually Means](https://bertmartinez.com/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means/) - Scholars are deeply gratified when their ideas catch on. And they are even more gratified when their ideas make a difference — improving motivation, innovation, or productivity, for example. But popularity has a price: people sometimes distort ideas, and therefore fail to reap their benefits. This has started to happen with my research on “growth”
- [Seven Common Strategy Traps – And How To Avoid Them](https://bertmartinez.com/seven-common-strategy-traps-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - Developing and executing effective strategy is never easy, especially in today’s increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. It’s something all organisations do, but some do it better than others. Developing and executing good strategy is important as it ultimately determines the fate of your organisation. But why are some organisations better at it
- [Harness Your Network to Unlock Innovation](https://bertmartinez.com/harness-your-network-to-unlock-innovation/) - Many corporate CEOs are unhappy with the level of innovation they’re getting for the billions they pour into R&D. One root cause of the low return, a large body of research suggests, lies in the managerial tendency to treat novel ideas as aberrations to be resisted. At each stage of the innovation process—from inception to
- [Stop Assuming Introverts Aren’t Passionate About Work](https://bertmartinez.com/stop-assuming-introverts-arent-passionate-about-work/) - Picture this: You ask two of your direct reports to take on important projects for your team, expecting both to be passionate about the opportunity. In response, one gets visibly excited, becoming animated as you discuss their ideas, and you notice them chatting with their coworkers about it over lunch. The other reacts with less
- [Transferable Skills: 10 Skills That Work Across Industries](https://bertmartinez.com/transferable-skills-10-skills-that-work-across-industries/) - Transferable skills, also known as “portable skills,” are qualities that can transfer from one job to another. Highlighting your transferable skills is especially important when changing jobs or industries. You likely already possess many transferable skills employers value, such as organization, communication, relationship building or attention to detail. What are transferable skills? Transferable skills are proficiencies that
- [7 Employee Classification Types and How They Compare](https://bertmartinez.com/7-employee-classification-types-and-how-they-compare/) - Employee classifications identify employees who are exempt from requirements set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and determine the benefits they receive. You may have heard the terms “full-time” and “part-time” before, but there are even more employee classifications that involve jobs that offer varying compensation, duration and work hours. When applying for jobs,
- [A life of long weekends is alluring, but the shorter working day may be more practical](https://bertmartinez.com/a-life-of-long-weekends-is-alluring-but-the-shorter-working-day-may-be-more-practical/) - When Microsoft gave its 2,300 employees in Japan five Fridays off in a row, it found productivity jumped 40%. When financial services company Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand trialled eight Fridays off in a row, its 240 staff reported feeling more committed, stimulated and empowered. Around the world there’s renewed interest in reducing the standard working
- [4-day work week trials have been labelled a ‘resounding success’. But 4 big questions need answers](https://bertmartinez.com/4-day-work-week-trials-have-been-labelled-a-resounding-success-but-4-big-questions-need-answers/) - A little more than a century ago, most people in industrialised countries worked 60 hours a week – six ten-hour days. A 40-hour work week of five eight-hour days became the norm, along with increased paid holidays, in the 1950s. These changes were made possible by massive increases in productivity and hard-fought struggles by workers
- [How running can help you cope with stress at work](https://bertmartinez.com/how-running-can-help-you-cope-with-stress-at-work/) - If grabbing your trainers and heading out for a run is your way of coping with a stressful week at work, you’re not alone. According to England Athletics, more than six million adults in England ran at least once a week in 2021, and around two-thirds cite reducing stress as a reason for running. Running is a
- [Stuck in the waiting room: Why women and minority groups are still underrepresented in top management](https://bertmartinez.com/stuck-in-the-waiting-room-why-women-and-minority-groups-are-still-underrepresented-in-top-management/) - Over the past few years, there has been a great deal of research looking at how well women are represented in top companies. The findings continue to be distressing. Whether in Canada or the United States, the proportion of women in top management in large organizations still hovers around five per cent. Can we expect
- [New research shows how Indigenous-owned businesses are creating better outcomes for their employees](https://bertmartinez.com/new-research-shows-how-indigenous-owned-businesses-are-creating-better-outcomes-for-their-employees/) - We are seeing more Indigenous businesses in Australia. This is important, given these businesses produce social impact, support Indigenous economic self-determination and maintain strong levels of Indigenous employment. When we hear about Indigenous knowledge businesses, we often think about how this knowledge is presented within a business’ product or service, such as through art, tourism
- [15 Steps to Help You Manage Business Growth](https://bertmartinez.com/15-steps-to-help-you-manage-business-growth/) - Companies involved in continuous growth cycles understand the need for effective growth management strategies. In order to sustain company operations while constantly innovating and developing, you may choose to analyze your staff, production and finances in relation to company goals. In this article, we discuss what business growth is and give 15 tips on how
- [Equity vs. Debt: Definitions, Types, Pros and Cons](https://bertmartinez.com/equity-vs-debt-definitions-types-pros-and-cons/) - Business owners often need additional financial resources to expand their companies by adding products, opening more stores or hiring more employees. With the right amount of money, they can buy new equipment, rent office space or grow their team. Two options include equity financing and debt financing. In this article, we describe what equity financing and
- [What Is Capital in Business? (With Definition and Types)](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-capital-in-business-with-definition-and-types/) - There are a variety of indicators, including capital, that businesses can use to decide if a company is healthy and well-managed. Capital is a fundamental element of a balance sheet that gives corporate leaders and financial analysts insight into a company's management. Understanding what capital is and how it operates can help individuals who are
- [Business Sizes: Classifications and Characteristics](https://bertmartinez.com/business-sizes-classifications-and-characteristics/) - Size is one of the most relevant ways in which businesses differ from one another. Regardless of your job, knowing the different business sizes and in which category your hiring organization belongs can prove to be a professional advantage. Being familiar with the most common business sizes and their main characteristics is an important piece
- [How to Build an Agile Business ?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-build-an-agile-business/) - Constant change is a norm in today’s fast-paced business environment. It’s become important for companies to respond almost immediately, in order to sustain in a business world where: Geographical boundaries are continually diminishing; Technology is rapidly advancing; Customer expectations are ever changing; and The whole world is 24/7 connected. Agility is one of the most
- [Leader versus Manager](https://bertmartinez.com/leader-versus-manager/) - “Leadership and managership are two synonymous terms” is an incorrect statement. Leadership doesn’t require any managerial position to act as a leader. On the other hand, a manager can be a true manager only if he has got the traits of leader in him. By virtue of his/her position, manager has to provide leadership to his
- [Consumer Behaviour - Meaning, Determinants and its Importance](https://bertmartinez.com/consumer-behaviour-meaning-determinants-and-its-importance/) - Companies make investment in understanding consumer behaviour and implementing strategies, which will help them retain customers. Consumers can be categorized as an individual consumer and organizational/industrial consumers. Understanding their behaviour and buying pattern is important in ultimate survival of companies in the market place. Consumer behaviour consists of activities/process followed in making any buying decision
- [Objectives and Importance of Advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/objectives-and-importance-of-advertising/) - Advertising is the best way to communicate to the customers. Advertising helps informs the customers about the brands available in the market and the variety of products useful to them. Advertising is for everybody including kids, young and old. It is done using various media types, with different techniques and methods most suited. Let us
- [The rising cost of living is eroding brand loyalty as consumers seek more cost-effective alternatives](https://bertmartinez.com/the-rising-cost-of-living-is-eroding-brand-loyalty-as-consumers-seek-more-cost-effective-alternatives/) - As Canadians grapple with the rising cost of living, many consumers are reevaluating their daily choices and purchase habits. The cost of groceries is forcing many households to make difficult decisions, like having to choose between food quality and affordability. Amid these economic pressures, the concept of brand loyalty — the preference consumers have for a particular brand over others
- [Out with the old: Marketers are reinventing themselves for a more sustainable future](https://bertmartinez.com/out-with-the-old-marketers-are-reinventing-themselves-for-a-more-sustainable-future/) - With an overwhelming 96 per cent of U.S. consumers actively seeking ways to protect the planet, marketers are no longer expected to simply sell products. They are now expected to influence consumer behaviour to advance sustainability goals. Because of their unique skill sets, marketing professionals are ideally positioned to do this. But as they have begun to embrace this responsibility, they have found themselves
- [Disinformation is part and parcel of social media’s business model, new research shows](https://bertmartinez.com/disinformation-is-part-and-parcel-of-social-medias-business-model-new-research-shows/) - Deceptive online content is big business. The digital advertising market is now worth €625 billion, and their business model is simple: more clicks, views or engagement means more money from advertisers. Incendiary, shocking content – whether it is true or not – is an easy way to get our attention, which means advertisers can end up
- [Social media ads are littered with ‘green’ claims. How are we supposed to know they’re true?](https://bertmartinez.com/social-media-ads-are-littered-with-green-claims-how-are-we-supposed-to-know-theyre-true/) - Online platforms are awash with ads for so-called “green” products. Power companies are “carbon neutral”. Electronics are “for the planet”. Clothing is “circular” and travel is “sustainable”. Or are they? Our study of more than 8,000 ads served more than 20,000 times in people’s Facebook feeds found many green claims are vague, meaningless or unsubstantiated
- [Business-to-Business Advertising: What it is, How it Works](https://bertmartinez.com/business-to-business-advertising-what-it-is-how-it-works/) - What Is Business-to-Business Advertising? Business-to-business advertising refers to any marketing efforts directed toward other businesses rather than to individual consumers. Business-to-business advertising, or B2B advertising, takes place between companies that are typically found in the middle of the supply chain for any product or service that does not reach the average consumer. B2B advertising may involve the promotion of
- [How to Become an Entrepreneur](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-become-an-entrepreneur/) - After retiring her professional dancing shoes, Judi Sheppard Missett became an entrepreneur by teaching a dance class in order to earn some extra cash. But she soon learned that women who came to her studio were less interested in learning precise steps than they were in losing weight and toning up. Sheppard Missett then trained
- [What Are Stock Fundamentals?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-are-stock-fundamentals/) - What Are Stock Fundamentals? Stock fundamentals are key metrics for a company, such as cash flow and return on assets (ROA). Analysts often perform fundamental analysis to analyze a stock by looking at its fundamentals. This involves looking at any data which is expected to impact the price or perceived value of a stock. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fundamental analysis involves
- [How to Invest in Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-invest-in-stocks-a-beginners-guide/) - Investing is a time-tested way of putting your money to work for you, as you work to earn more of it. Legendary investor Warren Buffett defined investing as “forgoing consumption now in order to have the ability to consume more at a later date.”1 By investing your money regularly, you may be able to increase
- [How To Talk to Your Boss About Your Mental Health](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-talk-to-your-boss-about-your-mental-health/) - Strong mental health is vital to a successful personal and professional life. If you feel you could improve your mental health by changing aspects of your professional life, it may be helpful to speak to your supervisor about your situation. Determining how to approach the conversation and what to say can help you have a
- [What Is Time Blindness, and How Does It Affect Your Job?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-time-blindness-and-how-does-it-affect-your-job/) - You might have seen the viral TikTok featuring a young woman in tears talking about a potential employer's lack of understanding for people battling "time blindness," or those who struggle with showing up to work on time. But what exactly is time blindness, and how can it affect you on the job and in your day-to-day? According
- [“Lazy Girl Jobs,” Quiet Quitting and Doing the Bare Minimum: Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Pushing Back Against Hustle Culture](https://bertmartinez.com/lazy-girl-jobs-quiet-quitting-and-doing-the-bare-minimum-why-gen-z-and-millennials-are-pushing-back-against-hustle-culture/) - In recent years, there's been a growing number of trends that push back against the grind culture that's been so prevalent in today's workplace. We've seen workers advocating for work-life balance, prioritizing self-care and asking for mental health benefits, among other things. With the addition of the latest trend to hit news headlines—"lazy girl jobs"—as well as the news
- [“Unretirement” and Other Effects of an Aging Global Workforce](https://bertmartinez.com/unretirement-and-other-effects-of-an-aging-global-workforce/) - Older folks are coming out of retirement and back into the workforce in droves, according to new research from Bain and Company. This is “a massive shift,” according to Andrew Schwedel, a partner at Bain and Company, which predicts that 150 million jobs across the world will shift to older workers by the year 2030. This
- [What’s in a Name? How to Choose Great Job Titles for Your Workers](https://bertmartinez.com/whats-in-a-name-how-to-choose-great-job-titles-for-your-workers/) - How to pick a great job title Choosing the right job title can be tricky, especially when determining the title for a position that encompasses multiple roles and responsibilities. However, every employer should take the time to develop a thoughtful strategy for naming positions and assigning titles, regardless of the company’s size. Here are a
- [Why You Need to Develop Your Own Unique Product](https://bertmartinez.com/why-you-need-to-develop-your-own-unique-product/) - Why should entrepreneurs develop their own products? Product development is not a new concept. Many people have tried to develop their own products but ran into roadblocks and lacked the confidence to proceed. The main reason companies opt to develop and sell their own products is due to the limitations that come with product trading.
- [‘Bad’ business ideas that were successful](https://bertmartinez.com/bad-business-ideas-that-were-successful/) - These once-laughable business ideas defied the odds, logic, market expectations, and even common sense, allowing their creators to get the last laugh – all the way to the bank. Here are some companies that turned a seemingly bad idea into a successful business model and made millions. Craigslist Craig Newmark had an idea to conduct
- [How to Start a Business With $0 (Or Pretty Close)](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-start-a-business-with-0-or-pretty-close/) - Having an entrepreneurial spirit can get your business ideas up and running. But that’s not all you need — what about capital? Fortunately, when you start small, you can get your company off the ground with little to no money. If you vet your business idea, take advantage of free business resources, minimize personal spending
- [The impact of work on well-being: 6 factors that will affect the future of work and health inequalities](https://bertmartinez.com/the-impact-of-work-on-well-being-6-factors-that-will-affect-the-future-of-work-and-health-inequalities/) - Work has long been considered a social determinant of health. Like housing, education, income security and other matters of economic and social policy, work can be a key factor in creating, maintaining or exacerbating unequal health outcomes across different societal groups. But if work is already understood to be a social determinant of health by regulators
- [Workplace discrimination saps everyone’s motivation − even if it works in your favor](https://bertmartinez.com/workplace-discrimination-saps-everyones-motivation-−-even-if-it-works-in-your-favor-2/) - When people work for discriminatory managers, they put in less effort. That’s true both when managers are biased against them and when they’re biased in their favor, according to a new paper that Nicholas Heiserman of Oklahoma State University and I have published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. To demonstrate this, we placed nearly 1,200 research participants in
- [For some workers, low-paying jobs might be more of a dead end than a stepping stone](https://bertmartinez.com/for-some-workers-low-paying-jobs-might-be-more-of-a-dead-end-than-a-stepping-stone/) - The most recent rise in Aotearoa New Zealand’s minimum wage has again put the spotlight on low-wage jobs and the established belief that low wages are a starting point for workers who are quickly able to transition into higher-paid employment. But our research found the situation is not so straightforward. For older New Zealanders, possible options for finding their way out
- [What Canada can learn from Sweden about creating middle-class retail jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/what-canada-can-learn-from-sweden-about-creating-middle-class-retail-jobs/) - Grocery-store cashiers and other frontline retail workers have helped get us through the pandemic, but do we value them? Why are retail jobs middle-class in Sweden, but low-wage work in Canada? These were some of the questions I tried to answer over several years of published research on grocery-store workers in different countries. My research has shown
- [Customer Loyalty vs. Brand Loyalty: Differences and Tips](https://bertmartinez.com/customer-loyalty-vs-brand-loyalty-differences-and-tips/) - Businesses rely on loyal consumers to operate and expand. Two key types of loyalty are customer loyalty and brand loyalty, which are concepts that sound similar but differ in their motivations and impact on companies. Learning about different relationships that companies build with potential and current customers can help you create strategies that generate
- [How To Measure Brand Awareness in 11 Different Ways](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-measure-brand-awareness-in-11-different-ways/) - Marketing professionals often prioritize brand awareness in their marketing efforts. Brand awareness can have several benefits, from making your brand more recognizable to expanding your target audience. Understanding the importance of brand awareness and how to gauge it is an important step toward improving your marketing processes and can directly impact your ability to
- [Guide To Company Culture (What It Is and Why It's Important)](https://bertmartinez.com/guide-to-company-culture-what-it-is-and-why-its-important/) - Company culture refers to the beliefs and values that are strongly held by a company and expressed through its goals, behaviors, manner in which work is done, leadership, branding and other important decisions. A strong company culture can help a company establish a public persona that attracts job applicants who share the same values. Understanding what company culture
- [Employer vs. Employee: What’s the Difference?](https://bertmartinez.com/employer-vs-employee-whats-the-difference/) - What is an employer? An employer is a person or business that hires an individual to perform work. An employer might be an individual, company, organization, government agency, institution or nonprofit organization. The employer pays an employee following employment contract terms. Employers typically are expected to: Ensure a safe work environment Treat employees with respect Provide
- [How To Find a Mentor in 8 Steps](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-find-a-mentor-in-8-steps/) - Working with a mentor may be valuable if you want to develop new skills in your career. Mentors can provide insight into specific professional situations, negotiation tactics, opportunities and career path goals. Choosing the right person to be your mentor is important based on your career goals and your relationship with them. In this
- [How To Treat Others with Respect in the Workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-treat-others-with-respect-in-the-workplace/) - Fostering a culture of mutual respect in the workplace is successful when everyone is committed to that goal. Respectful behavior may be intuitive to some in the office, but most people can benefit from a reminder of how to act on their best and most respectful instincts. As you search for work or start a
- [10 Communication Skills for Your Life and Career Success](https://bertmartinez.com/10-communication-skills-for-your-life-and-career-success/) - What are communication skills? Communication skills are abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information. While these skills may be a regular part of your day-to-day work life, communicating in a clear, effective and efficient way is an extremely critical and useful skill. Learning from great communicators around you and actively practicing ways to
- [How To Learn From Your Mistakes and Achieve Better Results](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-and-achieve-better-results/) - Video: What To Do After Making a Mistake at Work Why is it important to learn from mistakes? Making mistakes at work can be inevitable, but it can also be a valuable growth experience. Everyone is likely to make a mistake at some point, whether it's forgetting to send an email or missing a deadline,
- [10 Expectations Employers Have for Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/10-expectations-employers-have-for-employees/) - Employers often expect their employees to be respectful, hardworking and a team player. Employer expectations can have several benefits, like keeping employees focused and motivated to stay on task. Familiarizing yourself with some of these expectations can help prepare you for a new role or help you advance at your current company. In this
- [How To Show Appreciation at Work: Benefits, Examples and Tips](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-show-appreciation-at-work-benefits-examples-and-tips/) - Regardless of your career field, you can benefit from showing appreciation in your workplace. Showing gratitude to others is about treating people with kindness and recognizing their accomplishments. Appreciation in the workplace can make your supervisors and colleagues feel like their work has value and purpose. In this article, we explain why appreciation in the
- [10 Ways to Prove You’re a Strategic Thinker](https://bertmartinez.com/10-ways-to-prove-youre-a-strategic-thinker/) - Are you a strategic thinker? Do key people in your organization — such as your boss and senior leadership — think so? To get ahead in your career, it’s critically important to ensure that the people around you perceive you as leadership material. One key to achieving that is communicating in ways that demonstrate
- [Research: When — and Why — Employee Curiosity Annoys Managers](https://bertmartinez.com/research-when-and-why-employee-curiosity-annoys-managers/) - In recent years, workplace curiosity has been called essential, transformational, and the most valuable characteristic that leaders can have. Research has shown that curiosity can facilitate psychological safety, problem solving, and innovation. Another study found that curious employees — who enjoy looking for new solutions to complex problems, are eager to learn, and seek information and develop new strategies
- [Employers need to prioritize employee mental health if they want to attract new talent](https://bertmartinez.com/employers-need-to-prioritize-employee-mental-health-if-they-want-to-attract-new-talent/) - Canadian employers are currently facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining talent in the workplace, putting the responsibility on employers to attract employees to their organizations. One key way for employers to achieve this is by prioritizing the mental health of their employees. Workplaces are increasingly recognizing that productive employees actively seek out workplaces that prioritize mental well-being and
- [How to encourage vulnerability in the workplace while keeping workers safe](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-encourage-vulnerability-in-the-workplace-while-keeping-workers-safe/) - As we begin to tentatively shape the post-pandemic business world, there is a growing chorus of voices pushing for a new normal. Powered by the Great Resignation, increasing numbers of workers are demanding a more human-centric work environment, with space to express trust and vulnerability. In particular, one idea gaining steam is a worker-led expectation that it
- [Managing people for the first time: expert tips on how to succeed](https://bertmartinez.com/managing-people-for-the-first-time-expert-tips-on-how-to-succeed/) - Getting a promotion that involves managing people for the first time is a milestone in anyone’s career. It is a sign that your employer values your performance and skills and trusts you to lead projects and colleagues. This transition can also be a challenging and stressful experience – you may need to relearn what it
- [Good profits from bad news: How the Kennedy assassination helped make network TV news wealthy](https://bertmartinez.com/good-profits-from-bad-news-how-the-kennedy-assassination-helped-make-network-tv-news-wealthy/) - In journalism, bad news sells. “If it bleeds, it leads” is a famous industry catchphrase, which explains why violent crime, war and terrorism, and natural disasters are ubiquitous on TV news. The fact that journalists and their employers make money from troubling events is something researchers rarely explore. But even if it seems distasteful, the link between negative news
- [Mark Cuban: Don’t quit your job to start a business without doing this No. 1 thing first](https://bertmartinez.com/mark-cuban-dont-quit-your-job-to-start-a-business-without-doing-this-no-1-thing-first/) - Quitting your job to start a business can be both tempting and extremely risky. Make sure you have a safety net before taking the leap, says billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban. “Save your money first. Don’t just leave [your job] unless you know what the hell you’re doing,” Cuban told Wired last month in a video Q&A.
- [The No. 1 sign of a toxic workplace—‘it can get messy, fast’ warns career expert](https://bertmartinez.com/the-no-1-sign-of-a-toxic-workplace-it-can-get-messy-fast-warns-career-expert/) - Whether it’s a bad boss or cutthroat co-workers, a toxic work culture is the biggest reason why people quit their jobs — but the signs of toxicity aren’t all obvious. The biggest red flag of a toxic workplace is actually a common leadership style: 73% of workers consider micromanagement as the No. 1 sign to watch out
- [CEO shares a ‘secret trick’ for deciding to quit your toxic job: ‘It can make it much, much clearer’](https://bertmartinez.com/ceo-shares-a-secret-trick-for-deciding-to-quit-your-toxic-job-it-can-make-it-much-much-clearer/) - Toxic bosses are far too common: They’re the reason 57% of employees have quit a job, according to one report. But sometimes, you need the paycheck. Robyn L. Garrett, an author and CEO of leadership coaching firm Beamably, has a “secret trick” for figuring out whether it’s time to abandon ship. “Defining your personal values can
- [There’s more than one type of work burnout―how to identify which you have](https://bertmartinez.com/theres-more-than-one-type-of-work-burnout―how-to-identify-which-you-have/) - Workers and leadership alike have long noted the presence burnout. Nearly half, 48% of employees and 53% of managers report that they’re burned out at work, according to Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index. But while the term has become widely synonymous with stress and fatigue, there is, in fact, more than one type of burnout workers can
- [Customer Delight: The New Standard in Customer Service](https://bertmartinez.com/customer-delight-the-new-standard-in-customer-service/) - On the face of it, using “customer delight” instead of “customer satisfaction” to describe the new standard in customer service might seem like the latest fad or buzzword. However, understanding the nuances between these phrases can be the difference between delivering a positive experience to a one-time patron and creating — and retaining — a
- [Know Your Customers: How Different Generations Prefer To Pay](https://bertmartinez.com/know-your-customers-how-different-generations-prefer-to-pay/) - Which payment method your business accepts isn’t about jumping on the hottest tech trend or sticking to the system that’s easiest for you. Selecting the right payment tools for your business requires understanding how your customers want to pay, so you’re equipped with all the things you need to meet their expectations and remain competitive
- [Proven Ways to Increase Sales](https://bertmartinez.com/proven-ways-to-increase-sales/) - Your sales team is your best resource for growing your business’s customer base and increasing sales. However, other aspects of your business, such as product development, marketing, and customer service, can also help increase sales. Remember, you can increase sales in multiple ways. In addition to gaining new customers, you can focus on increasing the
- [Secrets to Appearing Confident During a Sales Pitch](https://bertmartinez.com/secrets-to-appearing-confident-during-a-sales-pitch/) - Advice from the pros Mastering the sales pitch involves understanding the product or service’s value, not just the product or service itself. Therefore, confidently communicating involves not only persuasiveness but active listening. If you are missing opportunities or lacking sales, check out the following sales pitch mistakes that could hinder your success. Talk less; listen
- [Outgrowing Your Office Space? Should You Lease or Buy?](https://bertmartinez.com/outgrowing-your-office-space-should-you-lease-or-buy/) - Should you lease or buy office space? How long can you commit to a location or building? Financial studies have shown that, for a short term, leasing is more cost-effective than buying. However, if you are considering a property where you can make your headquarters for a decade or more, then buying becomes more financially
- [What’s a Healthy Level of Business Debt?](https://bertmartinez.com/whats-a-healthy-level-of-business-debt-2/) - Using business debt judiciously can be an excellent way to grow your company. However, when utilized poorly, debt can irreparably harm your organization. Understanding the difference between good and bad business debt is critical to use debt to your business’ advantage. We’ll explain good vs. bad business debt and share strategies for ensuring a healthy
- [Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner](https://bertmartinez.com/choosing-the-right-outsourcing-partner/) - Outsourcing some functions can help your business grow quickly, gain access to resources and expertise and save money but it is not always an easy process. Shifting to an outsourcing model may cause problems initially as you and your outsourcing partner learn and adapt to each other’s business and expectations. As companies look to scale
- [How to prepare your business for the worst](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-prepare-your-business-for-the-worst/) - No one likes to think about what could go wrong, but you can’t ignore the risk when you run your own business. Chances are, every business, at one point or another, will face unexpected challenges, difficulties or even disasters. What matters is that you’re ready to deal with them. How can businesses prepare for unforeseen
- [Bouncing Back: 5 Big Companies That Recovered From Bankruptcy](https://bertmartinez.com/bouncing-back-5-big-companies-that-recovered-from-bankruptcy/) - Seeing a business struggle is a stressful and harrowing experience. Slowing sales and lagging profits are often signs of an impending bankruptcy. However, filing for bankruptcy doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your company. In some cases, it can be an opportunity for a new beginning. These five well-known firms were able to make the most of
- [Elon Musk's six secrets to business success](https://bertmartinez.com/elon-musks-six-secrets-to-business-success/) - Elon Musk has just become the richest person in the world, overtaking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The Tesla and SpaceX entrepreneur's net worth has crossed $185bn (£136bn) after an increase in the share price of the electric car company. So, what is the secret of his success? A few years back I spent almost an hour discussing
- [How to Build a Successful Business Succession Plan](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-build-a-successful-business-succession-plan/) - There may come a time when you need to step back from your business. Developing your succession plan now sets you up for success later. When you start a business, it's your baby. You take care of it, you watch it grow, and you help develop it into a healthy, thriving company. But for some,
- [Starting a Mini-Grocery Business: Here’s What You Need to Know](https://bertmartinez.com/starting-a-mini-grocery-business-heres-what-you-need-to-know/) - Starting a mini-grocery business is an exciting venture that can be personally and financially rewarding. It’s a cornerstone of communities, providing essential goods and creating a valuable resource for residents. However, the journey from concept to a thriving mini-grocery store requires careful planning, dedication, and understanding of the essentials. What should you do to get
- [A 4-day week might not work in health care. But adapting this model could reduce burnout among staff](https://bertmartinez.com/a-4-day-week-might-not-work-in-health-care-but-adapting-this-model-could-reduce-burnout-among-staff/) - The COVID pandemic saw a mass exodus of health-care workers across developed countries, exacerbating an existing health-care staffing crisis. In Australia, turnover rates among hospital staff reached nearly 20% in 2022. Hospital waiting lists in Victoria alone ballooned to 80,000 in 2023. The United States and the United Kingdom have faced similar staffing issues. Efforts are underway globally to educate new health professionals and boost the skilled migration
- [Why it’s so difficult to figure out what to do with your life – and three steps to take](https://bertmartinez.com/why-its-so-difficult-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-your-life-and-three-steps-to-take/) - What do you want to be when you grow up? Practically from the moment you start talking, you’re asked this question. As a child, you’re encouraged to make decisions about school subjects, activities and higher education, all in pursuit of a future career. These decisions, which have major repercussions for how the rest of your
- [Data show how American mothers balance work and family](https://bertmartinez.com/data-show-how-american-mothers-balance-work-and-family/) - Almost 70% of American mothers with children under 18 work for pay. But motherhood remains disruptive for many women’s work lives. American women earn almost 20% less per hour than their male peers, in part because women disproportionately take responsibility for raising children. Mothers often experience employment interruptions or reductions in work hours. When it comes to understanding mothers’
- [What makes a good political leader – and how can we tell before voting?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-makes-a-good-political-leader-and-how-can-we-tell-before-voting/) - For many people, voting is not just a right, it’s an act of civic duty. Even more than that, some voters base their decisions on what they believe best serves society as a whole, not what might personally advantage them. The trick, of course, is how to exercise that vote in a responsible, informed and
- [Repeat Business: 7 Ways to Keep Your Customers Coming Back](https://bertmartinez.com/repeat-business-7-ways-to-keep-your-customers-coming-back/) - Earning sales from customers takes time and effort. Depending on your industry and product prices, encouraging a customer to do business with your brand could take weeks or months. Even if you’re in the retail industry, where impulse buys are the norm, the first purchase is always the hardest to get. Once you’ve secured a
- [Ways to Generate More Sales Leads for Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/ways-to-generate-more-sales-leads-for-your-business/) - Many successful companies depend on adding to their customer base to grow their business. One key way to accomplish this goal is to ensure that companies receive a regular stream of sales leads. Here’s what you can do to generate leads for your business. What is a sales lead? A sales lead is a person
- [How to Avoid Creating an Annoying Email Campaign](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-avoid-creating-an-annoying-email-campaign/) - As a small business owner, you must constantly consider how customers perceive your brand. One way you might accidentally degrade their perception and harm your reputation is by foisting an annoying email marketing campaign upon their inboxes. While email can be an effective — and cost-effective — marketing method, companies must find a way to
- [13 Smart Ways to Better Market Your Retail Store](https://bertmartinez.com/13-smart-ways-to-better-market-your-retail-store/) - Even as online sales continue to command a significant percentage of consumer purchases, online retailers like Amazon and Alibaba have started to invest in brick-and-mortar stores. So if you are a small brick-and-mortar retailer, it’s more important than ever to market your physical store properly. Here are some of the most popular and effective channels
- [How organizations can address toxic workplace cultures to tackle sexual harassment](https://bertmartinez.com/how-organizations-can-address-toxic-workplace-cultures-to-tackle-sexual-harassment/) - Sexual harassment continues to be a problem in Canadian workplaces, and organizations are not doing enough to address it. A 2022 report by the Canadian Labour Congress indicates nearly one in two workers have experienced sexual harassment in the previous two years. A large part of the problem is how the issue is being viewed. Sexual harassment
- [Why are there fewer young women in entrepreneurship than young men?](https://bertmartinez.com/why-are-there-fewer-young-women-in-entrepreneurship-than-young-men/) - In 2021, around 41% of businesses created in France were created by women and only 14% of women were business owners. These figures are on the rise, but the progress is still rather slow. And yet, young women and men now have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship during their studies. The proportion of student companies created by
- [Four ways to protect your small business from a banking crisis](https://bertmartinez.com/four-ways-to-protect-your-small-business-from-a-banking-crisis/) - The banking sector is currently experiencing great strain, which has resulted in several bank bailouts – most recently UBS’ deal to buy its Swiss competitor Credit Suisse following a collapse in confidence in the latter. HSBC’s acquisition of the UK arm of the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank the previous week brought great relief for its depositors, many
- [The three ‘B's’ of cybersecurity for small businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/the-three-bs-of-cybersecurity-for-small-businesses/) - Large-scale cyberattacks with eye-watering statistics, like the breach of a billion Yahoo accounts in 2016, grab most of the headlines. But what often gets lost in the noise is how often small and medium-sized organizations find themselves under attack. In the last year, half of American small businesses have been breached by hackers. That includes Meridian Health in Muncie, Indiana, where
- [Tipping etiquette and norms are in flux − here’s how you can avoid feeling flustered or ripped off](https://bertmartinez.com/tipping-etiquette-and-norms-are-in-flux-−-heres-how-you-can-avoid-feeling-flustered-or-ripped-off/) - Tipping has gotten more complicated – and awkward – in North America. The ever-growing list of situations in which you might be invited to tip includes buying a smoothie, paying an electrician, getting a beer from a flight attendant and making a political donation. Should you always tip when someone suggests it? If yes, how do you calculate the right
- [The marketing tricks that have kept Barbie’s brand alive for over 60 years](https://bertmartinez.com/the-marketing-tricks-that-have-kept-barbies-brand-alive-for-over-60-years/) - Rejected by the toy industry at first, Barbie is now one of America’s most trusted brands. “She” – the 11.5 inch blonde doll, but also her brand persona – generated worldwide sales of around US$1.5 billion (£1.3 billion) in 2022, and has a brand value of US$590 million. Barbie debuted on March 9 1959 at the New York International Toy Fair
- [Climate change hits indebted businesses hardest, new research suggests](https://bertmartinez.com/climate-change-hits-indebted-businesses-hardest-new-research-suggests/) - Climate change poses the biggest risks to the most vulnerable people, and the same is true for businesses: Highly leveraged companies – those that have accumulated too much debt – are uniquely susceptible to climate shocks. That’s what we found in a forthcoming study in The Review of Corporate Finance that analyzed data from more than
- [Why more food, toiletry and beauty companies are switching to minimalist package designs](https://bertmartinez.com/why-more-food-toiletry-and-beauty-companies-are-switching-to-minimalist-package-designs/) - For decades, marketers of consumer goods designed highly adorned packages, deploying bold colors, snazzy text, cartoons and illustrations to seize the attention of shoppers. Conventional wisdom held that with thousands of products competing against one another in the aisles of big box stores and supermarkets, companies needed to do everything in their power to make their
- [13 Things Your Boss Can't Legally Do](https://bertmartinez.com/13-things-your-boss-cant-legally-do/) - No one is above the law, including your boss. The National Labor Relations Act and a variety of statutes overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protect employees from hostile work environments, discrimination and unfair labor practices. There are also state and local regulations that employers must follow. (GETTY IMAGES) Even though many
- [How to Change Careers Successfully](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-change-careers-successfully/) - Are you ready to make a career change? You are not alone. According to MetLife’s 20th Annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study 2022, job satisfaction is at a decline. In fact, 47.4 million workers quit their jobs in 2021. Of all workers surveyed, only 66% are satisfied with their current jobs and young workers feel that
- [How to Battle Bullying in the Workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-battle-bullying-in-the-workplace/) - Workplace bullying can occur in almost any employment setting. Even remote workers who are part of a team can find themselves the target of negative behavior from a colleague or supervisor. (GETTY IMAGES) "It can be a very tricky situation to navigate," says Stacey Engle, president of Fierce Conversations, a company that teaches organizations how
- [What Is a Toxic Work Environment – and How Can I Avoid It?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-a-toxic-work-environment-and-how-can-i-avoid-it/) - When you hear the word "toxic," you might think of hazardous waste or a substance that could make you physically ill. But in the workplace, toxic environments can also be detrimental to your health. (GETTY IMAGES) Toxic work environments are common in the United States. In fact, 22% of workers say they have experienced
- [How the cost of homebuying and selling will change after landmark court loss over real estate commissions](https://bertmartinez.com/how-the-cost-of-homebuying-and-selling-will-change-after-landmark-court-loss-over-real-estate-commissions/) - KEY POINTS The recent $1.8 billion jury verdict against the National Association of Realtors and several top brokerage firms highlights mounting legal and market pressures on real estate commissions. A recent Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst report estimated that the $100 billion paid in real-estate commissions annually could be cut by 30%, with as many
- [8 Keys to Upscaling Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/8-keys-to-upscaling-your-business/) - Tips for scaling your business Small business owners often have to deal with naysayers telling them to be content with what they have. Friends and family will warn against investing in new opportunities because of the risks. Although this principle of contentment works for most of us in our personal lives, it can be crippling
- [7 Reasons Every Entrepreneur Needs a Branded Email Address](https://bertmartinez.com/7-reasons-every-entrepreneur-needs-a-branded-email-address/) - What is a branded email address? A branded email address is one that has your business name or website in it. An example of a branded email address is johnsmith@smithandsons.com for the company Smith and Sons. An email address like this conveys a message of trust to someone who visits your website, and helps you
- [What’s a Healthy Level of Business Debt?](https://bertmartinez.com/whats-a-healthy-level-of-business-debt/) - What is business debt? Debt is a necessary part of most business journeys. Businesses use debt to improve cash flow, pay suppliers, run payroll and more. Taking loans or seeking financing can be part of a business growth mindset. However, business owners must understand debt, healthy loan practices and the difference between financing that can
- [How to know if your employer is serious about helping you find purpose in your work](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-know-if-your-employer-is-serious-about-helping-you-find-purpose-in-your-work/) - Paychecks are important, of course, but many people also want their work to “matter”. Whether this means helping people in your local area, or contributing to a global cause like reducing waste and fighting the climate crisis, 70% of respondents to a 2020 survey said their personal sense of purpose is largely defined by their work. Organisations
- [Mental health needs to be a cornerstone of equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives](https://bertmartinez.com/mental-health-needs-to-be-a-cornerstone-of-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-initiatives/) - Equity, diversity and inclusion programs have become ubiquitous in the workplace. As organizations publicly express their commitment to diversity and inclusion, there is a growing concern that these concepts are merely buzzwords to make organizations look more socially responsible. There has also been a growing backlash against the diversity, equity and inclusion movement. So, too, is the recognition that
- [Workplace discrimination saps everyone’s motivation − even if it works in your favor](https://bertmartinez.com/workplace-discrimination-saps-everyones-motivation-−-even-if-it-works-in-your-favor/) - When people work for discriminatory managers, they put in less effort. That’s true both when managers are biased against them and when they’re biased in their favor, according to a new paper that Nicholas Heiserman of Oklahoma State University and I have published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. To demonstrate this, we placed nearly 1,200 research participants
- [The reaction to ‘X,’ Elon Musk’s rebrand of Twitter, reflects how we feel about brands](https://bertmartinez.com/the-reaction-to-x-elon-musks-rebrand-of-twitter-reflects-how-we-feel-about-brands/) - Twitter has long been known for its iconic Blue Bird. On July 23, Elon Musk announced that this famed logo was going to be replaced with an “X.” After a series of Musk-driven blunders, the disappearance of the Blue Bird has been seen by some as the final straw in the erasure of Twitter as we know it. It
- [As more men leave the workforce, women are stepping in to fill those jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/as-more-men-leave-the-workforce-women-are-stepping-in-to-fill-those-jobs/) - A typical morning at the Schnitzler household starts with David and Allison feeding their 17-month-old Winston. Allison, 33, and David, 32, play with Winston as they both get ready to go to work. Allison heads out the door — to her family medical practice — and David, an insurance underwriter, starts his day… as an at-home dad.
- [Want Customers to Love You? Treat Every Customer Like They're Your Only Customer](https://bertmartinez.com/want-customers-to-love-you-treat-every-customer-like-theyre-your-only-customer/) - "This approach isn't just audacious — it's a commitment to forming genuine relationships." As a builder of brands and, more importantly, a human being, an iconic scene from the movie Jerry Maguire resonates deeply with me. Jerry, portrayed by Tom Cruise, experiences an awakening that transcends the world of sports management. His realization goes beyond
- [77 Percent of Workers Want a 4-Day Workweek. So Why Aren't More Companies Offering It?](https://bertmartinez.com/77-percent-of-workers-want-a-4-day-workweek-so-why-arent-more-companies-offering-it/) - A new Gallup poll shows that workers are willing to work more hours in exchange for an extra day off. The five-day workweek has been the U.S. law for 80 years, but a majority of Americans want to switch over to a four-day workweek, according to a new Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report. Seventy-seven percent of
- [How to Break into a New Market With No Leads and No References — and Be Successful](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-break-into-a-new-market-with-no-leads-and-no-references-and-be-successful/) - Want to expand into new sectors and scale? Here's what you need to know. While many companies grow and scale during the economic downturn, many find their monthly revenues on the decline. Others have maxed out their market share and now look to expand into new sectors to continue to grow and scale. But if
- [11 Steps to Engaging Your Audience on Social Media](https://bertmartinez.com/11-steps-to-engaging-your-audience-on-social-media/) - How to engage your audience on social media Here are 11 steps to planning a great social media campaign – and specific programs that can help you execute it. 1. Identify your ideal outlets. A great way to plan and begin your social campaigns is to figure out where to run them. WebiMax, an online
- [Building Brand Intimacy: How to Emotionally Connect With Customers](https://bertmartinez.com/building-brand-intimacy-how-to-emotionally-connect-with-customers/) - Emotions are the driving force behind most buying decisions. According to the Small Business Administration, “creating strong emotions – either positive or negative – can help build a bond between your customers and your business,” which is a goal all businesses share. In addition, positive emotions are vital to an excellent retail customer experience as
- [How Your Product Packaging Can Win Buyers’ Hearts](https://bertmartinez.com/how-your-product-packaging-can-win-buyers-hearts/) - Every year sees the launch of almost 30,000 new products, but 70% to 80% of these offerings fall flat. Your business can beat the odds by paying attention to your product packaging. Done right, packaging can be as memorable as the product itself and significantly impact consumer buying decisions. Product packaging is an essential part of
- [How to Rebrand Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-rebrand-your-business/) - “Rebranding (or at least one that is done right) will energize your company,” said Mike Jones, CEO of brand agency Resound. “Staff will be clearer on your purpose, vision and values. Potential customers will resonate with your personality and communications. Sales will get easier. Marketing will be more efficient, as designers, writers and creators for your brand
- [Are You Paying a Living Wage?](https://bertmartinez.com/are-you-paying-a-living-wage/) - Paying a “living wage” requires more than just meeting state and federal minimum wage requirements. Living in certain communities is more expensive and requires people to earn more to sustain basic life necessities. As an employer, paying a living wage can feel like a burden to the bottom line, but it can be a powerful
- [The Benefits of Employee Job Rotations](https://bertmartinez.com/the-benefits-of-employee-job-rotations/) - The practice of job rotations in the workplace is a popular way to allocate staffing where it is needed most. It also cycles employees through different roles throughout a team, department or organization with the principal objective of cross-training. When you’re considering instituting job rotations within your business, it is essential to understand the pros
- [12 Business Skills You Need to Master](https://bertmartinez.com/12-business-skills-you-need-to-master/) - The business skills you need to master To succeed as an entrepreneur and leader, you need a variety of skills. You must delegate effectively, communicate well, negotiate and plan strategically, lead and build teams, think analytically, market and sell effectively and manage finances, cash flow and your time. The following business skills will help you
- [Building Critical Thinking Skills to Solve Problems at Work](https://bertmartinez.com/building-critical-thinking-skills-to-solve-problems-at-work/) - Critical thinking is a vital soft skill that uses one’s experiences and analytical skills to deduce information and make educated decisions. It’s an essential skill to have in the workplace, as the ability to use information from a broader and more impartial perspective allows your employees to make more informed decisions and see a comprehensive view of
- [How to Hire for Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-hire-for-your-business/) - Dialing in your staffing levels is critical to your company’s success. Not having enough employees can seriously hinder your team’s production, while having too many staff members puts an unnecessary dent in your bottom line. However, the events of the past few years have made the staffing process even more complex for small businesses. In
- [13 Tips to Win Customers Over the Phone](https://bertmartinez.com/13-tips-to-win-customers-over-the-phone/) - How do you win customers over the phone? Convincing potential customers over the phone may not be as simple as you thought. You have several competitors offering the same product. As a rule of thumb, a telemarketer has to convey the value of their products or services to the customers. However, the key problem with most unsuccessful
- [What is outbound telemarketing?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-outbound-telemarketing/) - Successful telemarketing requires skills that cover countless aspects of communication. Apart from being good at interpretation, you need to be a shrewd marketer. At the same time, you should carry the weight of your brand. Today, hundreds of companies all over the globe are outsourcing their outbound marketing services to experts. What is outbound telemarketing?
- [An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Prioritizing Your Tasks](https://bertmartinez.com/an-entrepreneurs-guide-to-prioritizing-your-tasks/) - Where does all the time go? Long hours. Late nights. Snatched lunches. Some people boast about their overwhelming work schedule as if it’s a badge of honor: “I start work at 7 a.m. and work right through 8 p.m.” Often, their Herculean claims border on the absurd. “Last night, I went to bed at 3
- [What Is the Triple Bottom Line?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-the-triple-bottom-line/) - Historically, most companies’ time, energy and resources have focused on their bottom lines and securing the best financial performance for their shareholders. But times are changing and, increasingly, people want to do business with socially conscious companies. They want to work for and support businesses that make money and positively contribute to society, working for
- [How to Network on LinkedIn Like a Pro](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-network-on-linkedin-like-a-pro/) - Meeting and connecting with professionals who can benefit your company is critical for business success. Business leaders had to rely on in-person networking events in the past. However, a significant amount of today’s business networking happens on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the premier social network for business owners and professionals, with more than 930 million users worldwide. It’s
- [5 Strategies for Building Brand Trust Through Video](https://bertmartinez.com/5-strategies-for-building-brand-trust-through-video/) - Building trust with customers makes them far more likely to buy your products and services and continue doing business with you over the long term. Established businesses succeed because they’ve built trust into their brand reputation and forged a genuine bond with their customers. Newer and smaller companies must also create this bond to show customers that
- [8 Tips to Become a Better Business Storyteller](https://bertmartinez.com/8-tips-to-become-a-better-business-storyteller/) - A good story can capture your attention, make you emotional, teach you something new, change your mind and stay with you for life. You might not have realized it before, but if you want to sell a product or market your services, you need to be a good storyteller to do so effectively. What is
- [5 Restaurant Employee Scams That Will Cost Your Business Big](https://bertmartinez.com/5-restaurant-employee-scams-that-will-cost-your-business-big/) - Most restaurant employees are hard workers and honest, and provide excellent service that attracts customers to your restaurant as much as your menu. However, internal employee theft is a problem plaguing some restaurants, thus leading to profit loss and an atmosphere of distrust. The key to stopping employee-based restaurant scams is understanding how they occur and focusing
- [Leading With Transparency Promotes Customer Loyalty](https://bertmartinez.com/leading-with-transparency-promotes-customer-loyalty/) - Typically, consumers who have never heard of your company have a healthy dose of skepticism, even distrust. They don’t know if you can deliver on your promises of a quality product and stellar customer service, among other things. Some of this skepticism persists even once consumers are familiar with your company since they often see
- [7 Essential Components of Excellent Customer Service](https://bertmartinez.com/7-essential-components-of-excellent-customer-service/) - Customer service is crucial for business success, strengthening your company’s reputation and ensuring customer retention to earn repeat business and generous referrals. Businesses today can’t afford poor or even mediocre customer service. According to the recent Achieving Customer Amazement (ACA) Survey report, 83% of customers will abandon your company because of bad customer service, and 67% will share
- [6 Effective Strategies for Communication in a Crisis](https://bertmartinez.com/6-effective-strategies-for-communication-in-a-crisis/) - In today’s ever-changing, fast-paced, social media-hungry world, a crisis is inevitable. During one, it’s vital that you provide your stakeholders, employees and customers with a clear, heartfelt message. The speed and sincerity of your response can be the difference between your company moving forward or dangerously backward. By preplanning your crisis communication, you can increase
- [How Much Does It Cost to Start an Online Business?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-an-online-business/) - Starting an online business can be relatively simple and affordable, but some expenses are necessary. Depending on the type of business you want to start and how and where you would like to set it all up, your startup costs can vary significantly. Let’s take a deep dive into the typical costs associated with starting
- [Funding Woes, Be Gone: 5 Ways to Minimize Your Start-Up Costs](https://bertmartinez.com/funding-woes-be-gone-5-ways-to-minimize-your-start-up-costs/) - Startup history abounds with stories of entrepreneurs who made it big on shoestring budgets. Spanx founder Sara Blakely began her shapewear business in the 1990s with just $5,000 in savings, and Nike co-founder Phil Knight famously paid just $35 to the graphic designer who came up with the company’s iconic swoosh logo. Many big business
- [It’s Fashionable to Skip the Business Plan — How Reckless Is That?](https://bertmartinez.com/its-fashionable-to-skip-the-business-plan-how-reckless-is-that/) - It all started with a business plan. In 1994, Jeff Bezos famously sat in the passenger seat during a cross-country roadtrip and banged out the business plan for Amazon. Yet, you might be surprised to learn that Bezos is an outlier among entrepreneurs. A lot of them actually just make everything up on the fly. A
- [20 Businesses You Can Start on the Cheap](https://bertmartinez.com/20-businesses-you-can-start-on-the-cheap/) - Whether you want to be your own boss or just to shore up some extra cash, there are several cheap businesses you can start with little in the way of money. Sure, you may not become the next Facebook or Apple overnight with just a business idea and $500 in your pocket, but there are
- [Why young people in every sphere – not just business and politics – should learn to lead](https://bertmartinez.com/why-young-people-in-every-sphere-not-just-business-and-politics-should-learn-to-lead/) - Leadership is most commonly held to be the ability to motivate others to achieve set goals. For some, this means being heroic and special. The world stood still when Nelson Mandela died. His achievements alone – the freedom fighter turned political prisoner, the first black president of South Africa, the Nobel peace prize winner – would
- [Integrity, innovation and risk-taking is a rare combination in CEOs, new research suggests](https://bertmartinez.com/integrity-innovation-and-risk-taking-is-a-rare-combination-in-ceos-new-research-suggests/) - The big idea Corporate chief executive officers who have a high degree of integrity – that is, a commitment to act by a morally justified set of principles and values – tend to be less creative, more risk-averse and less likely to take initiative than other CEOs, according to new research I co-authored. Past research suggests that as a result,
- [How mentoring improves the leadership skills of those doing the mentoring](https://bertmartinez.com/how-mentoring-improves-the-leadership-skills-of-those-doing-the-mentoring/) - In a mentoring relationship, a more experienced person (or mentor) provides a less experienced person (or protégé) with information, support and friendship. Mentoring can happen in almost any context, including workplaces and universities. We often assume that, in mentoring relationships, protégés are those who benefit the most. As such, the majority of mentoring research has focused
- [Most successful entrepreneurs are older than you think](https://bertmartinez.com/most-successful-entrepreneurs-are-older-than-you-think/) - The romanticized image of entrepreneurs is a picture of youth: a 20-something individual with disruptive ideas, boundless energy and a still-sharp mind. Silicon Valley has bet on this image for years. But is this right? Far from it, according to our recent research with Javier Miranda of the U.S. Census Bureau and Pierre Azoulay of MIT. Our
- [Strange Business Patents of the Year](https://bertmartinez.com/strange-business-patents-of-the-year/) - Many businesses enter a preestablished market — restaurants and bars, for example, or office supply manufacturers — but some attempt to establish a brand-new market. It takes innovators to change the world through boldness and risk. Unfortunately, not every innovator actually manages to change anything. Whether the following products are destined for revolutionary glory
- [How to Boost Online Awareness of Your Brand](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-boost-online-awareness-of-your-brand/) - Brand awareness is a crucial element of long-term business success. For starters, companies that invest in brand awareness can see a boost in sales. In a study by OnBuy.com, 71% of shoppers said it was important that they recognize a brand before making a purchase. Additionally, companies that lack brand awareness risk getting buried by their competitors.
- [10 Ways to Get Good Customer Reviews](https://bertmartinez.com/10-ways-to-get-good-customer-reviews/) - Not many people check the phone book anymore before contacting a restaurant, store or service. Instead, they are reaching for the little computer in their pocket and taking their search to the internet, which means they will see the reviews that show up with your business. According to BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews for
- [Text Message Marketing: The Ultimate Mobile Engagement Tool](https://bertmartinez.com/text-message-marketing-the-ultimate-mobile-engagement-tool/) - Marketers continually look for ways to improve mobile engagement with customers. Several studies prove mobile as an effective platform for driving purchases. Keeping customers satisfied and happily engaged is something every brand and business wants to champion. A growing number of mobile consumers prefer and appreciate the ease of access from a simple link in
- [How to Run a Successful One-Person Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-run-a-successful-one-person-business/) - Starting a business is complicated, but starting and running a one-person business can be especially daunting. While it means you won’t have a team to support your goals or the luxury of delegating, becoming a motivated entrepreneur is a chance to combine passion and effort to create something great and realize your dreams. However, building a profitable
- [7 Pain Points Entrepreneurs Should Expect and Embrace](https://bertmartinez.com/7-pain-points-entrepreneurs-should-expect-and-embrace/) - The famous saying “no pain, no gain” rings especially true for entrepreneurs. When starting out, there are bound to be some bumps and bruises as you stumble through new situations and experiences. Even as your company develops and begins to take flight, there will be growing pains. The good news is, there are practical steps
- [Your Business Failed – Now What?](https://bertmartinez.com/your-business-failed-now-what/) - No one ever said starting a business and guiding it to success was easy, but you took the chance. You invested time, money and hard work to create and grow your business. However, for whatever reason, it wasn’t enough and you couldn’t make it work. Now what? Should you throw in the towel and return
- [How supporting local businesses impacts larger businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/how-supporting-local-businesses-impacts-larger-businesses/) - 1. You invest in your community rather than a big corporation. Studies show that small retailers selling to consumers or other businesses results in community reinvestment, job creation and giving back. Imagine the boost that could occur if small business owners across all categories made their commercial purchases – from paper supplies to booking travel
- [This Company Lets Employees Take Charge—Even with Life and Death Decisions](https://bertmartinez.com/this-company-lets-employees-take-charge-even-with-life-and-death-decisions/) - Is it possible to truly empower employees to make their own decisions—even when those decisions could mean life or death? That is the question posed by Dutch home healthcare organization Buurtzorg, which has radically avoided almost all middle management, allowing its nurse teams to care for their patients as they see fit. A new Harvard
- [What Does It Take to Safeguard a Legacy in Asset Management?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-does-it-take-to-safeguard-a-legacy-in-asset-management/) - Last year, the pioneering Black-owned global asset management firm Brown Capital Management found itself at a crossroads. The secret to its success had been a deliberately diverse hiring strategy, but with the looming retirement of its founder, safeguarding those practices felt urgent, especially in a business environment awakening to equity and inclusion. One of the
- [Solving the Riddle of How Companies Grow Over Time](https://bertmartinez.com/solving-the-riddle-of-how-companies-grow-over-time/) - For many leaders of organizations, the word most used in their business vocabulary is “grow.” But when you talk to them about how their firms grow over time, or what kind of growth is important, they are often mystified. “It’s a puzzle,” says Gary Pisano, the Harry E. Figgie Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.
- [Cut Salaries or Cut People? The Best Way to Survive a Downturn](https://bertmartinez.com/cut-salaries-or-cut-people-the-best-way-to-survive-a-downturn/) - When times are tight, companies usually respond with employee layoffs. But what if they held on to workers and cut their salaries instead? New research by Christopher Stanton and colleagues has the answer. Companies looking to shed costs in an economic downturn rarely cut compensation—typically, they slash jobs instead. New research confirms the wisdom of that decision.
- [How to Demotivate Your Best Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-demotivate-your-best-employees/) - Many companies hand out awards such as "employee of the month," but do they work to motivate performance? Not really, says professor Ian Larkin. In fact, they may turn off your best employees altogether. It would seem to make sense that when companies recognize their workers with awards, they are likely to see a boost in morale and
- [Mentally Strong People: The 13 Things They Avoid](https://bertmartinez.com/mentally-strong-people-the-13-things-they-avoid/) - For all the time executives spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more. Particularly for entrepreneurs, numerous articles talk about critical characteristics of mental strength—tenacity, “grit," optimism, and an unfailing ability as Forbes contributor David Williams says, to “fail up.” However, we can also define mental strength by
- [Top 5 Reasons Why 'The Customer Is Always Right' Is Wrong](https://bertmartinez.com/top-5-reasons-why-the-customer-is-always-right-is-wrong/) - The phrase "The customer is always right" is typically used by businesses to convince customers that they will get good service at this company and convince employees to give customers good service; however, I think businesses should abandon this phrase once and for all. One woman who frequently flew on Southwest was constantly disappointed with
- [Employers Are Complaining They Can't Find Qualified Talent — Turns Out They Might Be the Problem.](https://bertmartinez.com/employers-are-complaining-they-cant-find-qualified-talent-turns-out-they-might-be-the-problem/) - Employers across industries bemoan the difficulty of finding qualified talent. Yet, at the same time, legions of capable workers, especially caregivers, find themselves shut out of employment altogether due to inflexible employer attitudes. The solution? Forward-looking companies need to reimagine traditional career paths to gain access to a deep well of hidden talent. Employers across industries
- [How Employers Can Evaluate Alternative Employee Assistance Program Benefits](https://bertmartinez.com/how-employers-can-evaluate-alternative-employee-assistance-program-benefits/) - Steps to a Happy Partnership: Employers play in fostering the well-being of their employees—and choosing the right partners to do so is critical. IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED world, I recognize the critical importance of mental health and the significant role that employers play in fostering the well-being of their employees. The most recent global pandemic has exacerbated mental
- [How Luxury Brands Are Targeting Sports Fans](https://bertmartinez.com/how-luxury-brands-are-targeting-sports-fans/) - The intersection of sports and luxury has achieved significant attention over the years. SPORTS AND EVENTS are two of my greatest passions. Throughout my career, the global sporting events that I have had the honor of working on — including the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 2018 FIFA World Cup, Formula 1
- [The Importance of Taking the Good and Bad From Success Stories](https://bertmartinez.com/the-importance-of-taking-the-good-and-bad-from-success-stories/) - Business leaders need to be able to take the positive and negative from success stories to define their own leadership. IN THE WORLD of business, success and pain are two intertwined elements that shape the journeys of entrepreneurs and leaders alike. While success stories often grab our attention and inspire us, it is the tales of pain and
- [Why Business Leaders Should Have Knowledge of Historical and Current Events](https://bertmartinez.com/why-business-leaders-should-have-knowledge-of-historical-and-current-events/) - With the seemingly endless array of bad news, it’s natural to want to look away. NEGATIVE NEWS HAS an adverse effect on us. For instance, one 2022 study that examined the impact of violent Facebook content on women from five cities in Pakistan found that it made them “feel insecure, fearful, and distressed”—and that “the world is a
- [5 Straightforward Ways To Go From Employed To Self-Employed](https://bertmartinez.com/5-straightforward-ways-to-go-from-employed-to-self-employed/) - If you’re considering taking the leap from employment to self-employment, you’ll feel a mix of excitement and uncertainly. Starting a new business from scratch is a scary prospect for many, holding various unknowns. A better way is to make a plan based on your current situation. Start where you are and use what you have,
- [Why Is Your Company Software Failing? Bad Budgeting Might Be The Culprit](https://bertmartinez.com/why-is-your-company-software-failing-bad-budgeting-might-be-the-culprit/) - Proprietary software is often seen as the holy grail for companies, a sure sign that they’ve “made it.” Ushering in digital transformation establishes a business as technologically advanced and innovative, while simultaneously boosting the company’s overall value. However, when creating a software development budget, many upstart businesses tend to be overly cautious, leading them
- [5 Types of Manipulators at Work](https://bertmartinez.com/5-types-of-manipulators-at-work/) - Lots of variables influence our day-to-day decision making — though perhaps none more potently than the attitudes and preferences of other people. The human instinct to seek belonging with others helps us collaborate and build systems and societies. But it also gives ill-intentioned people an opening to mislead, lull, and even coerce us into serving their interests
- [Accidental managers: why people who are great at their job can fail when they get promoted](https://bertmartinez.com/accidental-managers-why-people-who-are-great-at-their-job-can-fail-when-they-get-promoted/) - There’s a saying that people don’t quit their job, they quit their boss. And poor management certainly has a lot to answer for in the UK workplace. A staggering 82% of new managers in the UK are what the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) calls “accidental managers”, according to a YouGov survey commissioned among 4,500 workers and managers in June,
- [With Subscription Fatigue Setting In, Companies Need to Think Hard About Fees](https://bertmartinez.com/with-subscription-fatigue-setting-in-companies-need-to-think-hard-about-fees/) - Subscriptions are available for everything from dental floss to dog toys, but are consumers tiring of monthly fees? Elie Ofek says that subscription revenue can provide stability, but companies need to tread carefully or risk alienating customers. From software that once came in a box to phone apps that do simple tasks, more products and services
- [The Importance Of Branding In Business](https://bertmartinez.com/the-importance-of-branding-in-business/) - A business’s branding is more important than you might think. On the outside, your brand may seem like it consists only of elements such as logos and colors, but your brand is actually the entire identity of your business. Your brand gives you personality. Branding has always been a vital part of business, but it
- [Latest Isn’t Always Greatest: Why Product Updates Capture Consumers](https://bertmartinez.com/latest-isnt-always-greatest-why-product-updates-capture-consumers/) - Consumers can't pass up a product update—even if there's no improvement. Research by Leslie John, Michael Norton, and Ximena Garcia-Rada illustrates the powerful allure of change. Are we really that naïve? Suppose you’re in the market for a new selfie stick for an upcoming vacation. You see two models online—one that extends to 24 inches and the other to
- [Cutting Through the Noise Using Retail Audio Advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/cutting-through-the-noise-using-retail-audio-advertising/) - Brands and stores seeking to boost sales through retail audio advertising can maximize their return on investment by following best practices. THE EASING OF COVID sanctions sent droves of shoppers back to physical stores, convinced that a bit of retail therapy would provide a cure for their two-year bout with cabin fever. The most recent numbers
- [Why do some brands change racist names and logos, but others don’t? Here’s what the research says](https://bertmartinez.com/why-do-some-brands-change-racist-names-and-logos-but-others-dont-heres-what-the-research-says/) - In 2020, against the backdrop of global demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism, several famous food brands around the world, including Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben’s, Eskimo Pie, Red Skins, Chicos, Beso de Negra and Gypsy Sauce, publicly acknowledged the racist origins of their brand names and logos and vowed to change them. This change was long overdue. Some of these brands, like Aunt
- [Consumer rights are worthless without enforcement](https://bertmartinez.com/consumer-rights-are-worthless-without-enforcement/) - 57 years ago, President John F. Kennedy made an impassioned pitch for stronger consumer rights. “If consumers are offered inferior products, if prices are exorbitant, if drugs are unsafe or worthless, if the consumer is unable to choose on an informed basis, then his dollar is wasted, his health and safety may be threatened, and
- [Consumers are wise to ‘woke washing’ – but truly ‘transformative branding’ can still make a difference](https://bertmartinez.com/consumers-are-wise-to-woke-washing-but-truly-transformative-branding-can-still-make-a-difference/) - With brands increasingly engaging in social change campaigns and leveraging their influence to be “purpose-led”, the time has come to ask a couple of big questions: is this a viable strategy, and how sceptical should we be of so-called “brand activism”? In recent weeks alone, Ben & Jerry’s has launched a new ice-cream flavour called “Change is
- [Social media scatters your brain, and then you buy stuff you don’t need](https://bertmartinez.com/social-media-scatters-your-brain-and-then-you-buy-stuff-you-dont-need/) - The big idea Social media can be mentally draining. And when mentally drained, you are more likely to be influenced by a high number of likes on posts – even to the point of clicking on ads for products you don’t need or want – according to our recent experiments on how social media affects behavior.
- [Three Questions Leaders Must Ask About Their Company](https://bertmartinez.com/three-questions-leaders-must-ask-about-their-company/) - Too often we see character, certainly in management circles, in reference to lack of it. That is, some CEO or CFO or senior executive has been caught with his hand in the kitty or in the knickers of some subordinate. Character, as our parents tell us, is what you do when you think no one is looking.
- [Why Ethics are important in engineering](https://bertmartinez.com/why-ethics-are-important-in-engineering/) - Engineers are vital to shaping our world. Their decisions have far-reaching consequences—typically related to risk management. As such, it’s essential for engineers to hold themselves to a high standard. In a survey published by the International Conference on Engineering Education (IEEE), 92 percent of respondents said ethical issues exist in engineering and could be improved.
- [7 Effective ways to become a better manager](https://bertmartinez.com/7-effective-ways-to-become-a-better-manager/) - Being a manager can be challenging. It requires knowing how to align people and resources to achieve goals, navigating complex decisions, and giving and eliciting feedback. A recent Gallup survey found that 70 percent of a team’s engagement depends on the manager, highlighting why professionals should know how to guide and coordinate the actions of their colleagues
- [Why Managers should involve their team in the decision making process](https://bertmartinez.com/why-managers-should-involve-their-team-in-the-decision-making-process/) - Decision-making is a critical component of every manager’s day-to-day. Whether reshuffling the department’s budget, delegating tasks, or implementing a new strategy, the daily choices managers make have a direct impact on their organization’s success. But that decision-making process isn’t always easy. In a survey by management consulting firm McKinsey, only 28 percent of executives touted the quality of their
- [Elon Musk is an ‘engineer’ but Bill Gates is a ‘leader’ – new research shows founder personality can dictate startup success](https://bertmartinez.com/elon-musk-is-an-engineer-but-bill-gates-is-a-leader-new-research-shows-founder-personality-can-dictate-startup-success/) - From Elon Musk’s supreme confidence to Jeff Bezos’ ability to make smart decisions under pressure, some of the most successful entrepreneurs are known for their distinctive personalities. But these traits aren’t just interesting side notes to these founders’ stories: confidence and calmness, along with other qualities such as a love of adventure, can have a
- [Beyond the paycheck: The key to building a thriving workplace goes beyond salaries](https://bertmartinez.com/beyond-the-paycheck-the-key-to-building-a-thriving-workplace-goes-beyond-salaries/) - Today’s news is filled with stories highlighting salary figures, from sky-high CEO compensation packages to boards trying to hide CEO pay increases during periods of austerity, to governments interfering with collective bargaining over wage increases and unions securing pay hikes. Some provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia, are also mandated to release annual sunshine lists of public sector workers who earn above $100,000 —
- [AI might eventually be an extinction threat, but it poses more pressing risks](https://bertmartinez.com/ai-might-eventually-be-an-extinction-threat-but-it-poses-more-pressing-risks/) - Since the AI chatbot ChatGPT was released in 2020, we’ve been hearing about the threat posed by artificial intelligence. A statement signed by academic experts and tech industry figures even branded AI an “extinction risk”. But whatever you think of such warnings, an existential threat to humanity is likely to be a threat only in the longer term. There
- [Teamwork is not always the best way of working – new study](https://bertmartinez.com/teamwork-is-not-always-the-best-way-of-working-new-study/) - Throughout the 21st century, teamwork has come to define the modern work environment. Driven by advances in communication technology, working collaboratively is, as management experts will tell you, how you harness the “collective intelligence”. Collective intelligence is often seen as greater than the sum of its parts: superior to the cumulative individual intelligence of the group’s members. Capitalising on
- [Want Employees to Return to the Office? Eight Steps You’ll Need to Take](https://bertmartinez.com/want-employees-to-return-to-the-office-eight-steps-youll-need-to-take/) - If you’re planning a return-to-office mandate, it may not be easy to get everyone on board. COMPANIES ARE CONTINUING to mandate a return to the office — including, controversially, Zoom itself — and many employees are not happy about this push. For many employees, the work-from-home policy they enjoyed during the pandemic gave them the much-needed
- [Closing a Business: A Personal and Professional Journey](https://bertmartinez.com/closing-a-business-a-personal-and-professional-journey/) - It is my hope that by sharing my story, others faced with this daunting task may find strength and guidance on their own path to new horizons. THE DECISION TO close my business after a remarkable fifteen-year journey has been an emotional and challenging one. This overwhelming undertaking has been accompanied by a sense of personal loss
- [Navigating the Digital Frontier: Public Relations Strategies for the Social Media Age](https://bertmartinez.com/navigating-the-digital-frontier-public-relations-strategies-for-the-social-media-age/) - Here are a few ways that you can best leverage your PR firm to help your company succeed in the modern age of social media. HUMAN BEINGS ARE inherently social, as evidenced by the invention of communication technologies from the telephone to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Once you understand that the world
- [Why Creative Agencies Can’t Keep Up in a Performance Marketing World](https://bertmartinez.com/why-creative-agencies-cant-keep-up-in-a-performance-marketing-world/) - The shift towards performance marketing has been driven by the digital revolution. AS THE CEO of Hawke Media, I’ve witnessed the digital revolution and now the shift to AI in marketing firsthand. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also a time of significant change — and not everyone is keeping up. In particular, traditional creative agencies are
- [Businesses that address social or environmental problems often struggle to survive: 3 things that can help them](https://bertmartinez.com/businesses-that-address-social-or-environmental-problems-often-struggle-to-survive-3-things-that-can-help-them/) - Social enterprises are organisations that promote social or environmental issues as their core business. They are useful to societies in lots of ways. They can help solve social and economic problems such as poverty and joblessness, among others. They can also help support the work of local, provincial and national government. Over the last decade
- [Corporate management: Women are losing ground and need to be more strategic, but the culture must also change](https://bertmartinez.com/corporate-management-women-are-losing-ground-and-need-to-be-more-strategic-but-the-culture-must-also-change/) - Management consulting firm McKinsey recently released its eighth study on the advancement of women in the corporate world (Women in the Workplace 2022). Although it focuses on large U.S. companies, many of its findings point to a future where women’s representation in senior management positions will become increasingly rare, and where women will need more stamina, perseverance
- [We can never truly separate our work and personal lives – and that isn’t necessarily bad](https://bertmartinez.com/we-can-never-truly-separate-our-work-and-personal-lives-and-that-isnt-necessarily-bad/) - Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the Apple TV series Severance, released last year, centred around a group of employees working at a firm called Lumon Industries who are truly able to split their work and personal lives. When they are at the office, employees do not remember anything about the outside world and when they
- [Romantic heroes or ‘one of us’ – how we judge political leaders is rarely objective or rational](https://bertmartinez.com/romantic-heroes-or-one-of-us-how-we-judge-political-leaders-is-rarely-objective-or-rational/) - Given the presidential style of modern politics, the intense media focus on party leaders is unavoidable. But this involves a degree of artifice. New Zealanders don’t vote directly for a prime minister, they vote for their preferred party and electorate candidate. Technicalities aside, though, party leaders play a key role in shaping their party’s policies and soliciting
- [STOP COMPLAINING](https://bertmartinez.com/stop-complaining/) - We complain constantly, at home and at work. We complain about the temperature, and the taste of dinner, and the latest political event. We complain about people’s habits, and family disagreements, and traffic and prices and type-os and bad cell coverage and fast-food orders and litter and telemarketers and slow wifi and people who
- [4 red flags to watch out for before signing any job contract, say employment lawyers](https://bertmartinez.com/4-red-flags-to-watch-out-for-before-signing-any-job-contract-say-employment-lawyers/) - Signing a job contract is often an automated process. When facing pages of fine print, you may just trust your prior conversations with your employer and sign off without a second look. Down the road, however, you may find yourself in legal and financial trouble as a result. "Of course, it is very difficult to
- [What Is a Noncompete Contract?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-a-noncompete-contract/) - Understand how noncompete clauses can change a person's career – and how to fight them. Within the U.S. workforce, researchers estimate that nearly 30 million workers are bound by noncompete contracts that prevent employees from holding jobs where they would compete against their former employers. Approximately 38% of Americans will have a “noncompete” (as they’re referred
- [‘History will judge them.’ ADL leader slams CEOs who are silent on antisemitism](https://bertmartinez.com/history-will-judge-them-adl-leader-slams-ceos-who-are-silent-on-antisemitism/) - Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt slammed Corporate America’s response to the terror attacks on Israel as “disappointing at best, disastrous at worst.” “We have arguably the most vibrant commercial sector on the planet. That’s why it’s so troubling that in a moment where the issues are clear, the responses are so muddled,” Greenblatt told CNN
- [College Degrees: The Job Requirement Companies Seek, but Don't Really Need](https://bertmartinez.com/college-degrees-the-job-requirement-companies-seek-but-dont-really-need/) - Hiring platforms routinely screen out experienced candidates simply because they aren't college graduates. With millions of openings going unfilled, Boris Groysberg says that companies should look for skills instead of degrees. Employers struggling to find workers during the current labor shortage might want to rethink their hiring criteria by taking a new look at job candidates
- [Do Leaders Learn More From Success or Failure?](https://bertmartinez.com/do-leaders-learn-more-from-success-or-failure/) - There's so much to learn from failure, potentially more than success, argues Amy Edmondson in a new book. James Heskett asks whether the study of leadership should involve more emphasis on learning from failure? Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson’s recent thought-provoking book, Right Kind of Wrong, makes a strong case for the notion that we often learn a
- [3 Strategies to Boost Sales and Marketing Productivity](https://bertmartinez.com/3-strategies-to-boost-sales-and-marketing-productivity/) - It’s almost axiomatic that growing revenues will require adding sales and marketing costs at the same rate. Most heads of sales and marketing believe in their bones that their teams cannot get more productive over an extended period. Teams can find cost-cutting and efficiency tweaks, yes, but not full-blown, sustained productivity gains. This is
- [Part-Time Employees Want More Hours. Can Companies Tap This ‘Hidden’ Talent Pool?](https://bertmartinez.com/part-time-employees-want-more-hours-can-companies-tap-this-hidden-talent-pool/) - Businesses need more staff and employees need more work, so what's standing in the way? A report by Joseph Fuller and colleagues shows how algorithms and inflexibility prevent companies from accessing valuable talent in a long-term shortage. Part-time workers who want more hours are a hugely untapped resource. Strange, since employers continue to encounter skills shortages.
- [Listen up, ladies and gentlemen, guys and dudes: Terms of address can be a minefield, especially as their meanings change](https://bertmartinez.com/listen-up-ladies-and-gentlemen-guys-and-dudes-terms-of-address-can-be-a-minefield-especially-as-their-meanings-change/) - A male colleague could be forgiven for not knowing if using “guys” to refer to female co-workers is acceptable in the modern workplace. But should he address them as “ladies,” he risks a trip to HR, or at the very least being labeled a condescending creep. So what in the name of Messrs Merriam and Webster is going on with
- [All talk, no action: why company strategy often falls on deaf ears](https://bertmartinez.com/all-talk-no-action-why-company-strategy-often-falls-on-deaf-ears/) - Corporate consultants often say that a company’s success depends not only on having a clear vision, but the ability to articulate it to all levels of staff. But how many employees know or understand the overarching strategy of their company? How many know what the priorities are so that they can make the important trade-offs
- [How dark is ‘dark advertising’? We audited Facebook, Google and other platforms to find out](https://bertmartinez.com/how-dark-is-dark-advertising-we-audited-facebook-google-and-other-platforms-to-find-out/) - Once upon a time, most advertisements were public. If we wanted to see what advertisers were doing, we could easily find it – on TV, in newspapers and magazines, and on billboards around the city. This meant governments, civil society and citizens could keep advertisers in check, especially when they advertised products that might be
- [Why ‘bad’ ads appear on ‘good’ websites – a computer scientist explains](https://bertmartinez.com/why-bad-ads-appear-on-good-websites-a-computer-scientist-explains/) - Sketchy ads, like those for miracle weight loss pills and suspicious-looking software, sometimes appear on legitimate, well-regarded websites. It turns out that most websites don’t actually decide who gets to show ads to their viewers. Instead, most sites outsource this task to a complex network of advertising tech companies that do the work of figuring
- [AI is changing how Americans find jobs, get promoted and succeed at work](https://bertmartinez.com/ai-is-changing-how-americans-find-jobs-get-promoted-and-succeed-at-work/) - Whether we realize it or not, advancements in artificial intelligence are increasingly influencing the paths of our careers. Advancements in human capital management systems, more strategic and data-driven human resource and talent management practices, and increased attention to bias are all factors that are changing how people are hired, developed, promoted and fired. I teach and work in talent management and leadership development.
- [Working in isolation can pose mental health challenges – here’s what anyone can learn from how gig workers have adapted](https://bertmartinez.com/working-in-isolation-can-pose-mental-health-challenges-heres-what-anyone-can-learn-from-how-gig-workers-have-adapted/) - In the wake of the pandemic, it is clear that remote work is here to stay. It seems every week there are more news stories about workers preferring to work remotely, or companies closing physical office spaces. This shift has employees and managers navigating new workplace challenges, not least of which is mental health concerns from working in isolation.
- [If companies want to stop quiet quitting, they need to take burnout seriously](https://bertmartinez.com/if-companies-want-to-stop-quiet-quitting-they-need-to-take-burnout-seriously/) - In 2023, between a quarter and a third of Canadians are feeling burned out. Burnout has not declined compared to last year. A full 36 per cent of employees are more burned out now than last year. If you aren’t burned out, it may well be because you did some quiet quitting to keep work at bay. Most workplaces haven’t changed their workload or
- [The ethical values and behaviours of CEOs play a crucial role in attracting new talent](https://bertmartinez.com/the-ethical-values-and-behaviours-of-ceos-play-a-crucial-role-in-attracting-new-talent/) - In today’s job market, where highly skilled workers are scarce and specialized skills are in high demand, employers are facing the challenge of filling job positions. This situation has sparked intense competition — often referred to as the “war for talent” — among companies to attract and keep the best employees. To stand out in this battle for
- [Why experiences and discoverability drive customers to stores](https://bertmartinez.com/why-experiences-and-discoverability-drive-customers-to-stores/) - Despite the rise of ecommerce, nearly 85% of US retail sales still occur in-store, according to our forecast. To attract customers to physical stores, brands must continually innovate to offer memorable experiences. Here’s what makes for a must-visit store: 1. Quick availability While ecommerce may be the fastest way to buy, it’s not always the
- [What retailers need to know about 2024 (and beyond) in 5 charts](https://bertmartinez.com/what-retailers-need-to-know-about-2024-and-beyond-in-5-charts/) - As ecommerce growth returns to pre-pandemic levels, it will continue to drive total retail sales over the next few years. Retailers looking to drive sales need to focus on a seamless omnichannel experience and use deals to convince consumers to spend. Meanwhile, retail media’s growth shows no signs of slowing, but advertisers and retailers must
- [Pros and Cons of Sales Forecasting](https://bertmartinez.com/pros-and-cons-of-sales-forecasting/) - If you're in a sales profession, you may make or receive sales forecasting reports as part of your job duties. Sales forecasting is a way of estimating future revenue by estimating the amount of sales a business may make in a particular timeframe. Understanding sales forecasting can help you make better business decisions around costs,
- [The Latest Psychology of Selling](https://bertmartinez.com/the-latest-psychology-of-selling/) - Up until a few years ago, most sales training was just some random sales guru’s idea of what worked in sales, with no data or science to back it up. But today, we live in an unprecedented time of data and science on what’s actually working in sales. 1. They don’t care about your features. The latest data on the psychology of
- [Why aren’t more women leading US companies? Americans weigh in](https://bertmartinez.com/why-arent-more-women-leading-us-companies-americans-weigh-in/) - Women have made huge strides in business, ascending to the C-suite and the boardroom in record numbers. But they are still very far from achieving parity with men in securing top corporate jobs in the United States. Women make up half the US population. But they only account for 10.6% of Fortune 500 chief
- [Why you may see a smaller pay raise and less chance of a promotion next year](https://bertmartinez.com/why-you-may-see-a-smaller-pay-raise-and-less-chance-of-a-promotion-next-year/) - US employers are planning smaller pay raises and fewer promotions next year, compared to what they gave this year. That’s according to a new survey from human resources consulting firm Mercer. The survey was taken by more than 900 of its clients, who are employers of varying sizes across 15 industries. Based on
- [Many employers will soon have to advertise salary thanks to two new laws](https://bertmartinez.com/many-employers-will-soon-have-to-advertise-salary-thanks-to-two-new-laws/) - Next week, job seekers will start to get a much better grasp on what many employers are willing to pay – and so will a company’s existing employees. While there is already a patchwork of state and local laws aimed at improving pay transparency, many companies still do not advertise what they pay up front. But two
- [Want a better paying job? First you need to figure out how much you really make](https://bertmartinez.com/want-a-better-paying-job-first-you-need-to-figure-out-how-much-you-really-make/) - So many factors go into deciding whether to quit your job, but pay is a big one. Even if money isn’t your top priority, it’s important to figure out how much you’re actually getting from your current employer because what you make is more than just your salary or wage. Estimating your total compensation gives you a truer measure of how much
- [There is 'A Crisis of Trust in Leadership' in Business Today. Here's What We Should Do About It](https://bertmartinez.com/there-is-a-crisis-of-trust-in-leadership-in-business-today-heres-what-we-should-do-about-it/) - Today's poor and ineffective leadership demands a course correction. You certainly don't have to look far in today's world to find countless examples of poor leadership. You could begin with politics, but that would require its own separate column. And it's not just poor leadership in this cottage industry, which will forever be an easy
- [These Are the 10 U.S. States With the Happiest (And Unhappiest) Employees, According to a New Report](https://bertmartinez.com/these-are-the-10-u-s-states-with-the-happiest-and-unhappiest-employees-according-to-a-new-report/) - A recent report found that employees in Alaska are the happiest in the country. No job is perfect, and even dream jobs come with high-stress days. But does where you live impact your overall happiness at work? According to a new report, some employees in certain states are far happier than others. A new report by
- [Running a Family Business Means You Need to Prepare Your Kids to Take Over — Here's How to Do It Right.](https://bertmartinez.com/running-a-family-business-means-you-need-to-prepare-your-kids-to-take-over-heres-how-to-do-it-right/) - Planning to pass on your business to your kids? Preparing them for the next phase of your business is a complex and multifaceted process — so here's what you need to do. Succession planning in family businesses is a topic that often evokes mixed emotions. On one hand, it represents the continuation of a legacy, while
- [From Coke floats to Cronuts, going viral can have a lasting effect on a small business](https://bertmartinez.com/from-coke-floats-to-cronuts-going-viral-can-have-a-lasting-effect-on-a-small-business/) - NEW YORK (AP) — The Lexington Candy Shop in New York City has served burgers, fries and shakes to hungry patrons for decades. Last remodeled in 1948, the diner is the definition of old-fashioned. But that hasn’t stopped it from getting a wave of new fans. In August 2022, this old school business met the
- [Not all candy is candy – at least for tax purposes](https://bertmartinez.com/not-all-candy-is-candy-at-least-for-tax-purposes/) - Halloween shoppers have many delicious decisions to make before trick-or-treaters show up at their doors. And in many states, those choices will change how much tax they pay. In Illinois, for example, locals pay a higher state sales tax rate – 6.25% versus 1% – on Reese’s, gummi worms and Hershey’s milk chocolate bars than on Twix,
- [Jobs are up, wages less so – and lower purchasing power could still lead the US into a recession](https://bertmartinez.com/jobs-are-up-wages-less-so-and-lower-purchasing-power-could-still-lead-the-us-into-a-recession/) - Don’t be overly fooled by seemingly rosy jobs data heading into the Labor Day weekend. Yes, the U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in August 2023 – faster than the revised 157,000 increase for July and above most analysts’ expectations for the month. And yes, gains were seen across most industries, with health care and social assistance adding
- [Jobs report hints that Fed policy is paying off – and that a ‘growth recession’ awaits](https://bertmartinez.com/jobs-report-hints-that-fed-policy-is-paying-off-and-that-a-growth-recession-awaits/) - The latest jobs report is in, and the good news is Federal Reserve policy on inflation appears to be working. The bad news is Fed policy on inflation appears to be working. The March 2023 jobs report reveals that the U.S. economy added 236,000 jobs during the month – roughly in line with expectations. A trend does
- [Why so many people have had enough of experts – and how to win back trust](https://bertmartinez.com/why-so-many-people-have-had-enough-of-experts-and-how-to-win-back-trust/) - When senior British politician Michael Gove announced in 2016 that the public had “had enough of experts” in the lead up to the Brexit vote, it highlighted a growing trend for questioning the authority and power of experts. Only last month, the home secretary, Suella Braverman, took to the stage at the National Conservatism conference to
- [Unconventional luxury brand collaborations are everywhere. What is the appeal?](https://bertmartinez.com/unconventional-luxury-brand-collaborations-are-everywhere-what-is-the-appeal/) - In 2017, Louis Vuitton caused a stir in the luxury industry by partnering with the New York skateboarding brand Supreme. This collaboration became a milestone in the luxury industry, showcasing the potential of unexpected partnerships between luxury brands and an unconventional partner seemingly at the opposite end of the design spectrum, a street wear brand. The iconic
- [A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and make it less profitable to pollute – a new analysis shows why](https://bertmartinez.com/a-carbon-tax-on-investment-income-could-be-more-fair-and-make-it-less-profitable-to-pollute-a-new-analysis-shows-why/) - About 10 years ago, a very thick book written by a French economist became a surprising bestseller. It was called “Capital in the 21st Century.” In it, Thomas Piketty traces the history of income and wealth inequality over the past couple of hundred years. The book’s insights struck a chord with people who felt a growing
- [Deceit pays dividends: How CEO lies can boost stock ratings and fool even respected financial analysts](https://bertmartinez.com/deceit-pays-dividends-how-ceo-lies-can-boost-stock-ratings-and-fool-even-respected-financial-analysts/) - The multibillion-dollar collapse of FTX – the high-profile cryptocurrency exchange whose founder now awaits trial on fraud charges – serves as a stark reminder of the perils of deception in the financial world. The lies from FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried date back to the company’s very beginning, prosecutors say. He lied to customers and investors alike, it is claimed,
- [What today’s labor leaders can learn from the explosive rise and quick fall of the typesetters union](https://bertmartinez.com/what-todays-labor-leaders-can-learn-from-the-explosive-rise-and-quick-fall-of-the-typesetters-union/) - Can a seemingly robust labor union simply collapse? The news is full of stories about growing union power – but just because a union is strong now doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way. Important unions have put themselves out of business before. The International Typographical Union, or ITU, is one such example. Once it was among the nation’s
- [How to Market to the Increasingly Socially Conscious Customer](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-market-to-the-increasingly-socially-conscious-customer/) - Brands must remain adaptable as consumer preferences evolve, influenced by global events, cultural shifts and generational differences In today's dynamic retail environment, there's a significant shift occurring in the way brands approach their customers. Historically, many industries prioritized competitive prices and discounts. However, the modern consumer is evolving, and the marketing world must follow suit.
- [This Is the Biggest Customer Service Mistake You're Making — And How To Fix It Fast](https://bertmartinez.com/this-is-the-biggest-customer-service-mistake-youre-making-and-how-to-fix-it-fast/) - You must be willing to embrace this one essential ingredient of exceptional customer service. If you want to move from middle-of-the-road, ho-hum customer service to the kind of exceptional customer service exemplified by great customer service-oriented brands like Ritz-Carlton, you're only going to get there if you get serious about employee empowerment. There's simply no way around this.
- [Motivation is the Secret to a Successful Team — Are Your Employees Motivated? 4 Tips for Empowering New Hires](https://bertmartinez.com/motivation-is-the-secret-to-a-successful-team-are-your-employees-motivated-4-tips-for-empowering-new-hires/) - Motivating employees towards success is the main means by which a business stays afloat and prospers. And the task of providing this motivation, alongside the upkeep of the team's morale is something that company leaders should always keep in mind. Workers burning out from stress and quitting their jobs is a prevalent problem for companies
- [Here's the Secret to Growing Your Small Business, According to Execs at UPS, Airbnb, Mastercard, and Other Big Brands](https://bertmartinez.com/heres-the-secret-to-growing-your-small-business-according-to-execs-at-ups-airbnb-mastercard-and-other-big-brands/) - These 10 executives work at big companies, overseeing programs that help small business. Here's the advice they wish all small business owners were getting. Small business owners know that every day brings a deluge of decisions about technology, finances, marketing, service providers, and overall business strategy. So where to begin? Well, you could ask leaders at large
- [Nail That Sale — Top 10 One-Liners to Go From Salesperson to Trusted Advisee](https://bertmartinez.com/nail-that-sale-top-10-one-liners-to-go-from-salesperson-to-trusted-advisee/) - To win the sale, you sometimes have to take off your sales hat and think differently. ales is an art form. It requires techniques, skills and A LOT of practice. The thing about sales is that there are key opportunities in the sale called "golden moments." The golden moment is the point where your sale
- [10 Qualities Separating the Extraordinary Salesperson Apart From the Pack](https://bertmartinez.com/10-qualities-separating-the-extraordinary-salesperson-apart-from-the-pack/) - Salespeople are the infantry of business. The one who succeed have embraced that it's a tough job. Extraordinary salespeople accept nothing less than being at the top of their game. They know they are the very engine of today's economy. Sales is not an easy job. It is largely based in potential and
- [The One Technique That Will Help You Find Out Anything You Want to Know Without Asking Questions](https://bertmartinez.com/the-one-technique-that-will-help-you-find-out-anything-you-want-to-know-without-asking-questions/) - Have you ever been in a conversation, and even though you intended to be empathetic and respectful, the moment you asked a question, especially about a sensitive topic, you felt disrespectful, possibly even rude? You had to ask the question, but now the person you were trying to make comfortable seems irritated and worried. They may even
- [Trust Should Be the Foundation of Your Business — Here's How to Earn It.](https://bertmartinez.com/trust-should-be-the-foundation-of-your-business-heres-how-to-earn-it/) - Here are five areas entrepreneurs and business leaders should tackle and invest more in to fuel a reputation for being incredibly reliable, which will help you drive greater customer trust, loyalty and success. Perhaps you've heard rumors about Apple wanting to bring an "Apple car," to the market. While the vehicle is just hypothetical, many
- [Why Experiential Marketing is Essential in the Age of Digital Advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/why-experiential-marketing-is-essential-in-the-age-of-digital-advertising/) - In today’s digital marketing landscape, forging a deep connection with the broader market and individual customers simultaneously is the key to successful campaigns and brand credibility. When lasting impressions are created, customers will remember your brand name and how their interaction with it made them feel. People often develop life-long loyalty to certain brands based
- [The Clock Is Ticking: 3 Ways to Manage Your Time Better](https://bertmartinez.com/the-clock-is-ticking-3-ways-to-manage-your-time-better/) - Life is short. Are you using your time wisely? Leslie Perlow, Arthur Brooks, and DJ DiDonna offer time management advice to help you work smarter and live happier. Should you be reading this article? Or are you wasting time that would be better spent on something else? Time pressure—the struggle to get everything done within the limited hours
- [As Leaders, Why Do We Continue to Reward A, While Hoping for B?](https://bertmartinez.com/as-leaders-why-do-we-continue-to-reward-a-while-hoping-for-b/) - Companies often encourage the bad behavior that executives publicly rebuke—usually in pursuit of short-term performance. What keeps leaders from truly aligning incentives and goals? asks James Heskett. Often the incentives we put in place to stimulate and reward performance produce unexpected behaviors. Causes vary from one individual to another, depending on what each of us
- [How Are Middle Managers Falling Down Most Often on Employee Inclusion?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-are-middle-managers-falling-down-most-often-on-employee-inclusion/) - Companies are struggling to retain employees from underrepresented groups, many of whom don't feel heard in the workplace. What do managers need to do to build truly inclusive teams? asks James Heskett. Search “inclusion” on Amazon and the majority of book entries that come up are for children. Is that an indicator of the current
- [How One Late Employee Can Hurt Your Business: Data from 25 Million Timecards](https://bertmartinez.com/how-one-late-employee-can-hurt-your-business-data-from-25-million-timecards/) - Employees who clock in a few minutes late—or not at all—often dampen sales and productivity, says a study of 100,000 workers by Ananth Raman and Caleb Kwon. What can managers do to address chronic tardiness and absenteeism? The retail business is not for the faint of heart. Turning a consistent profit requires navigating many variables, such as hiring
- [How to Be a Better Leader Amid Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-be-a-better-leader-amid-volatility-uncertainty-complexity-and-ambiguity/) - Your environment is changing fast. You lack the data to make confident decisions. Your operations sprawl with processes. You’re spotting trends that could be good — or not. These are the four challenges of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. They’re the reality of business today. But they’re not new. They’re intrinsic to markets, sales, manufacturing —
- [Thriving After Failing: How to Turn Your Setbacks Into Triumphs](https://bertmartinez.com/thriving-after-failing-how-to-turn-your-setbacks-into-triumphs/) - When we slip up, we are often filled with shame, and our instinct is to hide. Instead, people and businesses should applaud smart risk-taking, even when things don't work out, and closely examine their failures to learn from them, says Amy Edmondson. Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson experienced her first big-stakes professional failure when she
- [Warning: Scary Warning Labels Work!](https://bertmartinez.com/warning-scary-warning-labels-work/) - If you want to convince consumers to stay away from unhealthy diet choices, don't be subtle about possible consequences, says Leslie John. These graphically graphic warning labels seem to do the trick. San Francisco is in a three-year battle with the American Beverage Industry over whether soda companies can be forced to include consumer warnings
- [Hiding Products From Customers May Ultimately Boost Sales](https://bertmartinez.com/hiding-products-from-customers-may-ultimately-boost-sales/) - Is it smart for retailers to display their wares to customers a few at a time or all at once? The answer depends largely on the product category, according to research by Kris Johnson Ferreira and Joel Goh. Retailers routinely swap out the products they display to customers. It’s called assortment rotation, and it’s a popular business
- [6 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away: How To Recognize Them In Yourself and Change Them](https://bertmartinez.com/6-toxic-behaviors-that-push-people-away-how-to-recognize-them-in-yourself-and-change-them/) - In my line of work, I hear from hundreds of people a month, and connect with professionals in a more public, open way than ever before. Through this experience, I've seen scores of toxic behaviors that push people away (including me). And I’ve witnessed the damage these behaviors cause – to relationships, professional success,
- [5 'Bad' Millennial Traits That Are Actually Good for Entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/5-bad-millennial-traits-that-are-actually-good-for-entrepreneurs/) - Think the 'me' generation is spoiled, conceited and obsessed with themselves? Well, those may be good traits to have in the entrepreneurial world. I'll be the first to admit it: We millennials have a bad rep. They say we're lazy, ungrateful and that we don't grow up fast enough. (Anyone remember the Time magazine article?) That
- [50 Signs You Might Be an Entrepreneur](https://bertmartinez.com/50-signs-you-might-be-an-entrepreneur/) - Peruse this list to find out if your temperament and traits indicate you're the type to mastermind a startup. Entrepreneurs are a unique group of people. Not only do they think differently; they act differently. They draw on personality traits, habits and mind-sets to come up with ideas that straddle the line between insanity and
- [“Don’t Take It Personally” Is Terrible Work Advice](https://bertmartinez.com/dont-take-it-personally-is-terrible-work-advice/) - I was recently working with a leader who had just lost a much-valued employee to a competitor. He had invested a large amount of time in mentoring and training the person and had high hopes and expectations for his career. The employee was someone clearly identified as “top talent” within the company — and what’s more,
- [Time to Move On? Career Advice for Entrepreneurs Preparing for the Next Stage](https://bertmartinez.com/time-to-move-on-career-advice-for-entrepreneurs-preparing-for-the-next-stage/) - So many people shift from one job to the next, with little time to consider how the experience changed them and what they want out of future ventures. Julia Austin recommends that entrepreneurs look within and reflect on these questions before they jump into a new opportunity. Over the past year, I have watched several firms going
- [Passion at Work Is a Good Thing—But Only If Bosses Know How to Manage It](https://bertmartinez.com/passion-at-work-is-a-good-thing-but-only-if-bosses-know-how-to-manage-it/) - Does showing passion mean doing whatever it takes to get the job done? Employees and managers often disagree, says research by Jon Jachimowicz. He offers four pieces of advice for leaders who yearn for more spirit and intensity at their companies. Who wouldn't want to work for a company that values passion? And what employer wouldn't
- [The Legacy of Boaty McBoatface: Beware of Customers Who Vote](https://bertmartinez.com/the-legacy-of-boaty-mcboatface-beware-of-customers-who-vote/) - Companies that encourage consumers to vote online should be forewarned—they may expect more than you promise, according to research by Michael Norton, Leslie John, and colleagues. In 2016, the National Environmental Research Council (NERC), a quasi-governmental agency in the United Kingdom, decided it would be fun to let the public vote online to name the country’s newest
- [You’re More Than Your Job: 3 Tips for a Healthier Work-Life Balance](https://bertmartinez.com/youre-more-than-your-job-3-tips-for-a-healthier-work-life-balance/) - Younger workers are rejecting the idea of sticking with one employer for the long haul and are instead finding happiness by job-hopping and creating dramatically different boundaries with work. In a new book, Christina M. Wallace maps out a step-by-step guide to building a flexible and fulfilling life that includes rest, relationships, and a rewarding career. The
- [Why You Must Monitor Your Online Reputation Before it Hurts You](https://bertmartinez.com/why-you-must-monitor-your-online-reputation-before-it-hurts-you/) - One Tweet or bad review can ruin your reputation. Tracking online mentions is crucial to staying ahead of PR crises and maximizing your potential across the web. eputation management is a crucial component of business operations, as it sets the tone for brand identification and consumer perception. For a business looking for growth, paying attention
- [3 Inclusive Workplace Practices For Your Remote Team](https://bertmartinez.com/3-inclusive-workplace-practices-for-your-remote-team/) - In today's interconnected world, organizations often face the challenge of managing multicultural and geographically dispersed teams. Here are some tips on how to encourage inclusion. Studies have shown that while diversity brings immense potential and fresh perspectives, it also presents unique challenges regarding teamwork and collaboration. If people who join a team never meet their colleagues in
- [How Eisenhower's Crisis Management Strategies Will Help You Master the Art of Leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/how-eisenhowers-crisis-management-strategies-will-help-you-master-the-art-of-leadership/) - Lessons from the life of World War II D-Day commander and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower that will fuel your own achievement. In today's complex and rapidly changing world, leaders are confronted with unparalleled challenges. The unpredictable nature of global markets, accelerating technological advancements and shifting geopolitical dynamics demand effective decision-making and strategic thinking, and
- [Why Investing in Reputation Management is Crucial for Your Business Strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/why-investing-in-reputation-management-is-crucial-for-your-business-strategy/) - In the digital age, your online reputation is everything. Having a strong strategy in place to protect that image is essential. Business reputation is the public perception of the brand, its products or services and its treatment of employees and customers. A good reputation serves a company well, but a lousy reputation inflicts damage and
- [Plant-based meat sales are stagnating – our research suggests playing down its green benefits could attract more consumers](https://bertmartinez.com/plant-based-meat-sales-are-stagnating-our-research-suggests-playing-down-its-green-benefits-could-attract-more-consumers/) - It’s difficult to tell if the recent wave of anti-vegan sentiment has affected the plant-based meat market, but denigrating the image of vegans has certainly gone mainstream. Alongside negative comments about people who don’t eat meat by figures like Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson, anti-vegan rhetoric has even slipped into political discourse: Suella Braverman recently referred to supporters of Just
- [Employee resilience isn’t the magic bullet solution to adversity that organizations think it is](https://bertmartinez.com/employee-resilience-isnt-the-magic-bullet-solution-to-adversity-that-organizations-think-it-is/) - The combination of supply chain issues, rising inflation and labour challenges has had wide-ranging impacts on businesses. In order to deal with these obstacles, many organizations have turned to employee resilience to the weather the storm. Studies have found that managers respond to business turbulence by emphasizing employee resilience in the workplace. Employee resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt
- [How companies can improve the retention of employees returning from abroad](https://bertmartinez.com/how-companies-can-improve-the-retention-of-employees-returning-from-abroad/) - Multinational enterprises are currently facing a serious challenge. These organizations are companies with multiple locations or operations around the world. They often send employees abroad on assignments so they can gain personal growth and promotion opportunities. During these assignments, employees gain knowledge and experience about foreign cultures or acquire key market knowledge. However, scant attention has
- [Informal feedback: we crave it more than ever, and don’t care who it’s from](https://bertmartinez.com/informal-feedback-we-crave-it-more-than-ever-and-dont-care-who-its-from/) - The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way many of us work. With the switch to working from home, in particular, a fundamental workplace behaviour has gone by the wayside. Informal feedback. At the office it is easy to get, and give. But working from home makes it hard. Every interaction requires dialling a number, typing out a message
- [8 Social Selling Mistakes Your Team Should Avoid](https://bertmartinez.com/8-social-selling-mistakes-your-team-should-avoid/) - When you think of reaching prospects on social media, you usually assume it's a marketing strategy — but did you know that salespeople can use those same channels to their advantage? Sales professionals can leverage social networking to connect and build rapport with potential leads through a strategy known as social selling. However, this strategy isn't
- [B2B Prospecting: The 11 Best Methods You Should Be Leveraging](https://bertmartinez.com/b2b-prospecting-the-11-best-methods-you-should-be-leveraging/) - It's hard to overstate the importance of B2B prospecting in the context of most B2B sales processes. It's the jumping-off point for every closable deal — and doing it effectively can be the difference between maintaining a steady stream of productive opportunities and your sales process never getting off the ground. But what is B2B prospecting? And
- [The Ultimate Guide to Sales and Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-sales-and-marketing/) - Puppies and the park. Beach days and ice cream. Some things just obviously go together — but what if I put sales and marketing together in that list? Would you still think they worked better as a pair? More than likely, you haven't quite considered your sales and marketing to be the "peanut butter and jelly"
- [LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index — Everything You Need to Know](https://bertmartinez.com/linkedins-social-selling-index-everything-you-need-to-know/) - In its 20th year on the market, LinkedIn remains an undisputable world leader in social selling and online business networking. As of early 2023, it boasts over 900 million users, with approximately half visiting the platform monthly. In short, if you’re not active on LinkedIn, you’re missing a huge opportunity to grow your business. The question is
- [Eight Ways to Improve Your Brand’s Storytelling](https://bertmartinez.com/eight-ways-to-improve-your-brands-storytelling/) - THE STORY A company tells to its audience has a direct impact on the way its potential customers think and feel about its brand. Whether you want to inspire trust, encourage a feeling of camaraderie or build subject matter authority, the way you communicate your message will often determine how successful you are as a business.
- [The Job Market is Changing, but Marketing Jobs are Thriving](https://bertmartinez.com/the-job-market-is-changing-but-marketing-jobs-are-thriving/) - By automating routine tasks, providing insightful data analysis, and enhancing precision in targeting, AI allows marketers to focus on crafting creative strategies and delivering compelling narratives. AS THE FOUNDER of a successful performance marketing company, I pay attention to how things are advertised, and I’ve noticed something really interesting in the way we as a culture talk
- [The Contagious Power of Positivity in the Workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/the-contagious-power-of-positivity-in-the-workplace/) - The right kind of positivity can work wonders for your clients and your business. POSITIVITY IS A power. No, make that a “superhuman” power. While it may not grant us the ability to be “faster than a speeding bullet” or “more powerful than a locomotive,” it undeniably plays a pivotal role in personal and business success.
- [Leadership Vs. Management: A Key Lesson for Business Leaders](https://bertmartinez.com/leadership-vs-management-a-key-lesson-for-business-leaders/) - A leader and a manager can be the same person, but switching mentalities when fulfilling a role is crucial. OFTENTIMES, THE WORDS “leader” and “manager” become synonymous with each other. This is perhaps explained by the fact that people expect the leader of any organization to be adept at managing it too. However, when talking
- [Could you be a victim of micromanagement? Seven tips to take back control](https://bertmartinez.com/could-you-be-a-victim-of-micromanagement-seven-tips-to-take-back-control/) - Have you ever wondered if you’re being micromanaged by your supervisor? You wouldn’t be alone: in 2021, a US survey by Trinity Solutions revealed 79% of employees have experienced micromanagement, with 71% reporting this interfered with their job performance and 85% complaining of its negative impacts on morale. So, what does micromanagement look like? Let’s take the
- [A brave new world without a map for employers – are ad-hoc responses the best way forward?](https://bertmartinez.com/a-brave-new-world-without-a-map-for-employers-are-ad-hoc-responses-the-best-way-forward/) - Increasing demands from staff for flexibility in the post-COVID era have left small businesses in New Zealand scrambling. Our earlier research found two-thirds of workers were asking for more flexibility in where and when they work. We have found employers are, indeed, reacting to employee needs with creative solutions. However, sometimes these are too spontaneous and possibly short-sighted
- [The soundtrack to selling: why advertising with popular music needs to be pitch perfect](https://bertmartinez.com/the-soundtrack-to-selling-why-advertising-with-popular-music-needs-to-be-pitch-perfect/) - At some point today, it’s likely that you’ll listen to music. It may be during a commute or school run, while you do some exercise or take some time to relax. Music is all around us – an accessible and popular art form which accompanies our daily lives. Advertisers have long understood the popularity and emotional
- [Spyware can infect your phone or computer via the ads you see online – report](https://bertmartinez.com/spyware-can-infect-your-phone-or-computer-via-the-ads-you-see-online-report/) - Each day, you leave digital traces of what you did, where you went, who you communicated with, what you bought, what you’re thinking of buying, and much more. This mass of data serves as a library of clues for personalized ads, which are sent to you by a sophisticated network – an automated marketplace of advertisers, publishers
- [Why Dunkin’ and Lego rebrands succeeded – but X missed the mark](https://bertmartinez.com/why-dunkin-and-lego-rebrands-succeeded-but-x-missed-the-mark/) - Twitter has swapped the fluffy bird that used to symbolize the social media platform for a spindly black X. Ditching the company’s well-known logo and changing its name to a letter often associated with danger, death and the unknown is only the latest user-aggravating step CEO Elon Musk has taken since he bought Twitter in October 2022 for US$44 billion. But it’s the
- [How men can become role models for gender inclusivity in the workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/how-men-can-become-role-models-for-gender-inclusivity-in-the-workplace/) - From popular culture depictions of the girlboss to advice and books about how women should “lean in” to further their careers, discussions about gender equality at work tend to focus on how women leaders can be good role models for other women. But books, advice and training about leadership at work often appear gender neutral, failing to discuss
- [Not all interruptions are bad: how surprise breaks can unleash creativity at work](https://bertmartinez.com/not-all-interruptions-are-bad-how-surprise-breaks-can-unleash-creativity-at-work/) - Interruptions are an inevitable part of working life. Some last a short time – a phone call, an urgent task, or a colleague stopping by for a chat. While these can take a brief toll on productivity, extended interruptions such as supply-chain issues, extreme weather or machinery breakdowns, can have a more significant impact. But
- [Want more good ideas from your workers? Try giving them a reward – and a choice](https://bertmartinez.com/want-more-good-ideas-from-your-workers-try-giving-them-a-reward-and-a-choice/) - The big idea Companies can increase not only the volume but also the quality of employee suggestions and ideas by offering rewards and a choice, according to a study we published in 2022. We conducted the study on 345 telemarketers at a call center in Taiwan, which already had a suggestion program set up to solicit
- [Burnout and isolation: Why employees and managers can’t ignore the social and mental health impact of working from home](https://bertmartinez.com/burnout-and-isolation-why-employees-and-managers-cant-ignore-the-social-and-mental-health-impact-of-working-from-home/) - The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred on a variety of workplace maladies, including “the great resignation,” “quiet quitting,” “overemployment,” labour shortages and conflicts between managers and employees over returning to in-person work. Employee burnout and well-being may be at the heart of several of these issues. Two new studies highlight the importance of social connection in the workplace
- [How you can future-proof your career in the era of AI](https://bertmartinez.com/how-you-can-future-proof-your-career-in-the-era-of-ai/) - Ever since the industrial revolution, people have feared that technology would take away their jobs. While some jobs and tasks have indeed been replaced by machines, others have emerged. The success of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) now has many people wondering about the future of work – and whether their jobs are safe. A recent
- [What’s the difference between a startup and any other business?](https://bertmartinez.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-startup-and-any-other-business/) - All startups are businesses, but not every business is a startup. Nearly 100,000 new businesses were formed each week in the United States in 2022. But what sets a startup apart? As a professor of marketing and innovation who has worked at several startups, including Netflix in its early days, I can share some of the differences
- [Online outrage can benefit brands that take stances on social issues](https://bertmartinez.com/online-outrage-can-benefit-brands-that-take-stances-on-social-issues/) - Nike’s advertisement featuring Colin Kaepernick sparked a social media firestorm in 2018. Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, first made headlines in 2016 when he protested against police brutality by kneeling during the American national anthem. Those who deemed Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the anthem as unpatriotic expressed a great deal of outrage and called
- [Social entrepreneurs have different reasons for creating their ventures: policymakers should take these into account](https://bertmartinez.com/social-entrepreneurs-have-different-reasons-for-creating-their-ventures-policymakers-should-take-these-into-account/) - Social entrepreneurs embrace social as well as economic value. They create ventures that aim to meet social needs. They are not only risk-takers and proactive innovators but have a strong ethical fibre. They are compassionate and morally motivated to create social ventures. One such social venture is Regenize, founded by Chad Robertson and Nkazimlo Miti in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape
- [Owning your own business can make it harder to get hired later](https://bertmartinez.com/owning-your-own-business-can-make-it-harder-to-get-hired-later/) - If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business lately, you’re not alone. Americans began launching ventures in record numbers during the pandemic, with an above-trend pace continuing through 2023. Unfortunately, many of of these enterprises won’t last long: 30% of new businesses fail within two years, and half don’t last past five, according to the Small
- [Emotional intelligence is the key to more successful entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/emotional-intelligence-is-the-key-to-more-successful-entrepreneurs/) - Entrepreneurs have a key role to play in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This action plan, which has been adopted by all UN member countries, including Canada, was created to tackle today’s “most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges.” While governments play a central role in achieving these goals, non- and for-profit organizations
- [Entrepreneurs know that failure is sometimes necessary – here’s what we can learn from them](https://bertmartinez.com/entrepreneurs-know-that-failure-is-sometimes-necessary-heres-what-we-can-learn-from-them/) - Published: November 9, 2022 12.32pm EST Failure isn’t pleasant but it is inevitable. And often, it is a stepping stone on the way to success. This is especially true in entrepreneurship. Given the considerable degree of uncertainty and ambiguity associated with starting and running a business, failure is a common phenomenon. For the last decade, I have studied entrepreneurs and
- [New Zealander without college degree couldn’t talk his way into NASA and Boeing—so he built a $1.8 billion rocket company](https://bertmartinez.com/new-zealander-without-college-degree-couldnt-talk-his-way-into-nasa-and-boeing-so-he-built-a-1-8-billion-rocket-company/) - In early 2006, Peter Beck took a “rocket pilgrimage” to the U.S. The native New Zealander always dreamed of sending a rocket into space. He even skipped college because of it, taking an apprenticeship at a tools manufacturer so he could learn to work with his hands, tinkering with model rockets and propellants in his
- [CEO spent his savings, 401(k) and paychecks to keep his cookware brand afloat—now it brings in over $170 million a year](https://bertmartinez.com/ceo-spent-his-savings-401k-and-paychecks-to-keep-his-cookware-brand-afloat-now-it-brings-in-over-170-million-a-year/) - Today, it’s celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s favorite cookware brand, bringing in millions of dollars annually. But HexClad almost went bankrupt within its first year, nearly taking its co-founders down with it. After Danny Winer and Cole Mecray launched the company in December 2016, they faced a year of “financial terror,” Winer, 57, tells CNBC Make It.
- [A father-son duo struck a $125,000 deal with all 5 ‘Shark Tank’ judges: This ‘practically never happens’](https://bertmartinez.com/a-father-son-duo-struck-a-125000-deal-with-all-5-shark-tank-judges-this-practically-never-happens/) - Plenty of “Shark Tank” contestants strike a deal with one, or even two, of the entrepreneurship reality show’s investor judges. Precious few manage to get all five of the show’s investors to go in on a deal together. Father-son duo Mark and Kenzo Singer pulled it off on Friday’s episode of the ABC show, landing
- [28-year-old’s side hustle makes $180 an hour, more than doubling his income: How it ‘snowballed’ into a six-figure salary](https://bertmartinez.com/28-year-olds-side-hustle-makes-180-an-hour-more-than-doubling-his-income-how-it-snowballed-into-a-six-figure-salary/) - Carter Osborne just wanted to make some extra cash. He never dreamed his side hustle, advising high school seniors on their college application essays, would give him a six-figure income. Osborne picked up the side hustle in 2017, while getting his master’s degree in public administration at the University of Washington, a five-minute drive east
- [Why managers’ attempts to empower their employees often fail – and even lead to unethical behavior](https://bertmartinez.com/why-managers-attempts-to-empower-their-employees-often-fail-and-even-lead-to-unethical-behavior/) - A majority of American workers right now are not feeling very motivated on the job, a new survey suggests. Management experts often encourage business leaders to motivate employees by empowering them. The idea is that when workers are free to make decisions and manage their workday they become more motivated, perform better and work more creatively. However,
- [Looking for your ‘calling’? What people get wrong when chasing meaningful work](https://bertmartinez.com/looking-for-your-calling-what-people-get-wrong-when-chasing-meaningful-work/) - As a professor, I’m fortunate to teach a course called World Religions for Healthcare Professionals that prepares students for the spiritual and ethical issues they may encounter in their careers. But the class often boils down to life’s big questions: What makes life worth living, and how should we live? How do you find your “calling”? In
- [Elon Musk’s archaic management style prioritizes profit over people](https://bertmartinez.com/elon-musks-archaic-management-style-prioritizes-profit-over-people/) - Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has been rocky, to say the least. Since taking over the company on Oct. 28, Musk has made a number of changes to the platform, resulting in widespread chaos and turmoil within the company. Within days of taking over Twitter’s operations, Musk fired top executives and half of the company’s 7,500 employees, ignored advice to not
- [Americans are taking more control over their work lives – because they have to](https://bertmartinez.com/americans-are-taking-more-control-over-their-work-lives-because-they-have-to/) - One thing that’s become clear in the past few tumultuous – and for many, traumatic – years is that it’s easy to feel like there is no control in our lives. Control is a basic psychological need that helps people feel like they have agency, from how they live to where they work. One area where people
- [Stock market today: Wall Street climbs, and Dow rises more than 300 points as stocks worldwide rally](https://bertmartinez.com/stock-market-today-wall-street-climbs-and-dow-rises-more-than-300-points-as-stocks-worldwide-rally/) - NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose Thursday after a blizzard of reports suggested the U.S. economy is still humming, though inflation may be too. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% for its best day in two weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 331 points, or 1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.8%. Some of
- [Wholesale price inflation accelerated in August from historically slow pace](https://bertmartinez.com/wholesale-price-inflation-accelerated-in-august-from-historically-slow-pace/) - WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale prices increases accelerated in August, a sign that inflation remains stubbornly persistent despite a series of sharp interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The Labor Department said Thursday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it hits consumers — increased 1.6% last month from a
- [Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices](https://bertmartinez.com/retail-sales-rise-0-6-in-august-largely-due-to-a-spike-in-gas-prices/) - NEW YORK (AP) — Americans stepped up retail spending modestly from July to August as the price of gasoline jumped, cutting into budgets as many families send their kids off to school. Retail sales rose 0.6% in August, compared with a revised 0.5% increase in July, according to a report issued by the Commerce Department
- [Casino giant Caesars Entertainment reports cyberattack; MGM Resorts says some systems still down](https://bertmartinez.com/casino-giant-caesars-entertainment-reports-cyberattack-mgm-resorts-says-some-systems-still-down/) - LAS VEGAS (AP) — Casino company Caesars Entertainment on Thursday joined Las Vegas gambling rival MGM Resorts International in reporting that it was hit by a cyberattack, but added in a report to federal regulators that its casino and online operations were not disrupted. The Reno-based publicly traded company told the federal Securities and Exchange Commission that
- [Online prices plunge by the most in three years](https://bertmartinez.com/online-prices-plunge-by-the-most-in-three-years/) - Online shoppers were greeted by rapidly falling prices in August, marking another positive sign in the fight against inflation. E-commerce prices tumbled by 3.2% year over year in August, Adobe Analytics said on Tuesday. That’s the biggest annual drop in 40 months, or just over three years. The data provides further evidence that inflation is cooling across
- [CEOs are having their worst year in decades](https://bertmartinez.com/ceos-are-having-their-worst-year-in-decades/) - It’s been a bad year for CEOs. Chief executives have left their posts at an alarming rate as their performance — and their behavior — come under increased scrutiny by corporate boards. What’s happening: Well over 1,000 CEOs have left their companies this year, according to a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. That’s 33% more than last year
- [Google was beloved as an employer for years. Then it laid off thousands by email](https://bertmartinez.com/google-was-beloved-as-an-employer-for-years-then-it-laid-off-thousands-by-email/) - On the morning of January 20, one Google employee had to call tech support after getting hit with an unusual error message when they tried to log in to their work system. Another employee’s manager was on vacation, so they had no one to reach out to when rumors of layoffs started to swirl. A
- [Here’s what got cheaper and what got more expensive at grocery stores last month](https://bertmartinez.com/heres-what-got-cheaper-and-what-got-more-expensive-at-grocery-stores-last-month/) - As overall US inflation heated up last month, consumers got some relief at grocery stores. Grocery price increases in the United States slowed down in August, up just 0.2% for the month. That’s an improvement from July, when grocery prices were up 0.3%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, released Wednesday. For the year, grocery
- [California Legislature passes first bill in U.S. to ban food additives, including red dye No. 3](https://bertmartinez.com/california-legislature-passes-first-bill-in-u-s-to-ban-food-additives-including-red-dye-no-3/) - If the governor signs it into law, the measure would prohibit four chemicals in foods and drinks that have been linked to health issues. The California Legislature has passed a first-of-its-kind bill to ban four food additives linked to potential health issues. If Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signs it, Assembly Bill 418 would prohibit the sale
- [McDonald's plans to eliminate self-service soda stations at all its restaurants](https://bertmartinez.com/mcdonalds-plans-to-eliminate-self-service-soda-stations-at-all-its-restaurants/) - The Chicago-based fast food chain plans to eliminate the machines at its U.S. restaurants by 2032, it confirmed this week. Say goodbye to refilling that Coke. McDonald’s is getting rid of self-served soda. The Chicago-based fast food chain plans to eliminate self-service soda machines at its U.S. restaurants by 2032, McDonald’s confirmed this week. It’s
- [Traditional pension plans are pretty rare. But here’s who still has them and how they work](https://bertmartinez.com/traditional-pension-plans-are-pretty-rare-but-heres-who-still-has-them-and-how-they-work/) - The phrase “pension benefits” may come up a lot in the next several days as negotiations between the United Auto Workers union and the Big Three automakers go down to the wire to avert a strike. But for most private-sector US workers, pensions disappeared long ago. In a traditional pension, employers contribute, invest and manage retirement
- [Why lab-grown diamond sales are surging](https://bertmartinez.com/why-lab-grown-diamond-sales-are-surging/) - It’s proposal season, and engagements are on the rise. So are factory-made diamond sales. Not that you’d know the difference. Man-made diamonds look the same as naturally occurring ones. The only noticeable difference is the price tag. “The result is really stunning,” said Edahn Golan, an independent diamond industry analyst. He said March data showed
- [China’s automakers take the world by storm with electric vehicle push](https://bertmartinez.com/chinas-automakers-take-the-world-by-storm-with-electric-vehicle-push/) - Chinese makers of electric vehicles have come out in force for this week’s IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, Germany. About 50 companies — including heavyweight BYD and upstarts like Xpeng — have traveled to the city, according to China’s state media, about twice as many as the last time the event was held and the largest-ever Chinese delegation at any global
- [Americans have never been wealthier](https://bertmartinez.com/americans-have-never-been-wealthier/) - Fueled by a resurgent stock market and rising home values, US household wealth hit a record $154.3 trillion during the second quarter of this year, according to federal data. Consumer wealth has now completely recovered from the recent inflation-driven drop in stock prices and real estate holdings. Household and nonprofit net wealth increased by $5.5 trillion, or
- [Beyoncé wants everyone to wear silver and Etsy sellers are benefiting](https://bertmartinez.com/beyonce-wants-everyone-to-wear-silver-and-etsy-sellers-are-benefiting/) - The Queen, better known as Beyoncé, had a dress code in mind for Renaissance tour concert goers attending her “House of Chrome,” as she described her concerts. The superstar made a last-minute request on Aug. 23 on her website to wear silver at the Renaissance Tour in honor of her birthday — September 4 — sending fans scrambling
- [The US government is investigating China’s breakthrough smartphone](https://bertmartinez.com/the-us-government-is-investigating-chinas-breakthrough-smartphone/) - The United States government is seeking more information about the Huawei Mate 60 Pro, a Chinese smartphone powered by an advanced chip. The new flagship device, which reportedly includes a new 5G Kirin 9000s processor developed specifically for Chinese manufacturer Huawei, recently shocked industry experts who didn’t understand how the company would have the technology to make
- [Return-to-office mandates won’t magically improve young employees’ career development](https://bertmartinez.com/return-to-office-mandates-wont-magically-improve-young-employees-career-development/) - CEOs and other senior leaders very often want employees in the workplace for more days than employees who can do their jobs remotely would like. Many leaders assert more in-person experiences can, among other things, provide better career development for the youngest and newest employees. They have a point … up to a point. “There
- [What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 15 reveal](https://bertmartinez.com/what-to-expect-from-apples-iphone-15-reveal/) - Apple is expected to debut its iPhone 15 lineup Tuesday at the company’s annual September keynote event, and it could introduce the biggest change to the phone’s design in 11 years. The press event, which Apple teased with a “wonderlust” tagline, will take place at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and will be livestreamed on its website,
- [Warner Bros. Discovery says actors and writers strikes will cost it up to $500 million this year](https://bertmartinez.com/warner-bros-discovery-says-actors-and-writers-strikes-will-cost-it-up-to-500-million-this-year/) - Warner Bros. Discovery trimmed its full-year earnings guidance for 2023 on Tuesday by $300 million to $500 million because of the continued strike by actors and writers, which has stopped production of most shows and movies. The corporate parent of CNN had previously told investors that it expected the strike to be over by early
- [The US has approved $42 billion in loan forgiveness for public service workers. Here’s what to know](https://bertmartinez.com/the-us-has-approved-42-billion-in-loan-forgiveness-for-public-service-workers-heres-what-to-know/) - The U.S. has approved more than $42 billion in federal student loan debt forgiveness for more than 615,000 borrowers in the past 18 months as part of a program aimed at getting more people to work in public service jobs, the U.S. Department of Education said this week. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is open
- [Apple could be about to make the biggest change to the iPhone in 11 years](https://bertmartinez.com/apple-could-be-about-to-make-the-biggest-change-to-the-iphone-in-11-years/) - Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 in just a few days, and it’s widely expected to come with a significant change. The iPhone 15 is heavily rumored to ditch Apple’s proprietary Lightning charger in favor of USB-C charging, marking a milestone for the company by adopting universal charging. The change could ultimately streamline the
- [Square outage costs small-business owners thousands in lost revenue](https://bertmartinez.com/square-outage-costs-small-business-owners-thousands-in-lost-revenue/) - Outages on the payment platforms Square and Cash App leave small-business owners complaining of lost revenue and a lack of support. It was around 2 p.m. Thursday when Adam Blackbill realized he wasn't getting sales reports from his three ice cream shops. Blackbill has used Square to accept payments for his central Pennsylvania business, Urban
- [The majority of Party City stores will stay open as it exits bankruptcy](https://bertmartinez.com/the-majority-of-party-city-stores-will-stay-open-as-it-exits-bankruptcy/) - Party City exited bankruptcy on Wednesday after a US judge signed off on the retailer’s reorganization plans. The plan cancels nearly $1 billion of Party City’s debt, and while some of Party City’s nearly 800 US stores will close due to the bankruptcy agreement, the majority will stay open, according to the company. In a statement, Party
- [Why Cup Noodles is going ‘gamer-friendly’](https://bertmartinez.com/why-cup-noodles-is-going-gamer-friendly/) - For dedicated gamers across Asia, late-night sessions often mean chugging cans of Red Bull or snacking on fast food to stay awake. But what about the greasy fingerprints left on keyboards? Or the danger of keeping drinks near gaming equipment? Noodle maker Nissin says it has the answer: caffeinated Cup Noodles. “The gaming population
- [Climate change is hurting Six Flags, SeaWorld and Disney World](https://bertmartinez.com/climate-change-is-hurting-six-flags-seaworld-and-disney-world/) - Over the weekend, intense rain and flooding stranded more than 70,000 people at Burning Man in the Nevada desert. It’s the latest example of how extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, impacted major North American attractions this summer. The largest theme park companies — Six Flags (SIX), SeaWorld and Cedar Point-parent Cedar Fair — all were upended
- [Apple lost $200 billion in two days after reports of iPhone ban in China](https://bertmartinez.com/apple-lost-200-billion-in-two-days-after-reports-of-iphone-ban-in-china/) - Shares of Apple fell by 2.9% on Thursday following reports that China plans to expand a ban on the use of iPhones to government-backed agencies and companies. Investors are fretting over the ability of the world’s most valuable public company to do business in the world’s second-largest economy. Apple (AAPL) notched its largest daily fall in over a
- [Federal Reserve official agrees the central bank can 'proceed carefully' on interest rates](https://bertmartinez.com/federal-reserve-official-agrees-the-central-bank-can-proceed-carefully-on-interest-rates/) - Markets are nearly certain the Fed will skip a rate increase at its Sept. 19-20 meeting. There have been 11 interest rate hikes since March 2022. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Tuesday that the recent round of strong economic data will buy the central bank some time as it decides whether additional interest rate
- [United Airlines issued nationwide ground stop due to 'systemwide technology issue'](https://bertmartinez.com/united-airlines-issued-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-systemwide-technology-issue/) - United Airlines briefly grounded its fleet nationwide, the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the airline blamed the ground stop, which lasted about an hour, on a software update. "Earlier today a software update caused a widespread slowdown in United’s technology systems," the statement said. "We briefly held aircraft at their
- [Mortgage demand falls to 27-year low despite drop in interest rates](https://bertmartinez.com/mortgage-demand-falls-to-27-year-low-despite-drop-in-interest-rates/) - Total mortgage application volume fell 2.9% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. After rising sharply for several weeks, mortgage interest rates pulled back slightly last week, but not enough to revive mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume fell 2.9% last week, compared with the previous
- [E.U. targets Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft in next phase of digital crackdown](https://bertmartinez.com/e-u-targets-apple-amazon-alphabet-bytedance-meta-microsoft-in-next-phase-of-digital-crackdown/) - The six companies were classified Wednesday as online “gatekeepers” that must face the highest level of scrutiny under the 27-nation bloc’s Digital Markets Act. The European Union is targeting Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, Facebook owner Meta and TikTok parent ByteDance under new digital rules aimed at reining in the market power of online
- [Airbnb limits some new reservations in New York City as short-term rental regulations go into effect](https://bertmartinez.com/airbnb-limits-some-new-reservations-in-new-york-city-as-short-term-rental-regulations-go-into-effect/) - NEW YORK (AP) — Home-sharing giant Airbnb said it has had to stop accepting some reservations in New York City as new regulations on short-term rentals went into effect Tuesday that will mean big changes for travelers hoping to avoid the high cost of a Big Apple hotel. The new rules are intended to effectively
- [Stock market today: Wall Street ends lower following two weeks of gains](https://bertmartinez.com/stock-market-today-wall-street-ends-lower-following-two-weeks-of-gains/) - Major stock indexes on Wall Street closed lower Tuesday, giving back some of their recent gains as traders returned from a long holiday weekend. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. Both indexes were coming off their second weekly gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%. The selling was widespread,
- [Will Starbucks’ union-busting stifle a union rebirth in the US?](https://bertmartinez.com/will-starbucks-union-busting-stifle-a-union-rebirth-in-the-us/) - The NLRB has brought 100 cases against the coffee chain over anti-union activities – but it cannot punish the company With more than 340 victories at Starbucks stores across the US, the campaign to organize the coffee chain’s workers is one of the most successful union drives in a generation. But Starbucks’ fierce union-busting campaign has badly
- [The Fed cares a lot about jobs data — but it may be getting mixed signals](https://bertmartinez.com/the-fed-cares-a-lot-about-jobs-data-but-it-may-be-getting-mixed-signals/) - According to private payroll processor ADP, US employers hired 455,000 new workers in June. Meanwhile, in its monthly tally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said 105,000 new workers were hired. But for August, the two arrived at similar estimates — ADP reported on Wednesday that 177,000 new workers were added last month, and on Friday
- [More remote workers are willing to move in order to find affordable housing](https://bertmartinez.com/more-remote-workers-are-willing-to-move-in-order-to-find-affordable-housing/) - Housing is less affordable than it has been in about four decades. But buying or renting a home might be even less affordable now if it weren’t for the continuing impact of remote and hybrid workers that resulted from the pandemic, according to a recent study by Fannie Mae. The study, which was an analysis of Fannie Mae’s monthly
- [Mercedes unveils new electric concept cars with better range than any Tesla model](https://bertmartinez.com/mercedes-unveils-new-electric-concept-cars-with-better-range-than-any-tesla-model/) - Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled new “close-to-production” concept vehicles that could outdo Tesla cars by going more than 466 miles on a single charge. That’s compared with a range of less than 380 miles for any Tesla model. The German automaker’s Concept CLA Class, revealed Sunday at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, comprises four new models:
- [X, formerly known as Twitter, may collect your biometric data and job history](https://bertmartinez.com/x-formerly-known-as-twitter-may-collect-your-biometric-data-and-job-history/) - X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, said this week it may collect biometric and employment information from its users — expanding the range of personal information that account-holders may be exposing to the site. The disclosures came in an update to the company’s privacy policy, which added two sections related to the new
- [Billionaires want to build a new city in rural California. They must convince voters first](https://bertmartinez.com/billionaires-want-to-build-a-new-city-in-rural-california-they-must-convince-voters-first/) - Silicon Valley investors behind a secretive $800 million land-buying spree got off to a rocky start with the voters they need to build a green new city in Northern California SAN FRANCISCO -- Silicon Valley billionaires behind a secretive $800 million land-buying spree in Northern California have finally released some details about their plans for a
- [When will gas prices stop rising? Experts weigh in](https://bertmartinez.com/when-will-gas-prices-stop-rising-experts-weigh-in/) - Gas prices are rising again. Here's why. The average price of a gallon of gas has risen more than 8% over the last month. Drivers have enjoyed relief at the gas pump this summer compared with eye-popping prices a year ago, but an alarming trend has emerged in recent weeks: Prices are rising once again. Over the
- [From strikes to new union contracts, Labor Day's organizing roots are especially strong this year](https://bertmartinez.com/from-strikes-to-new-union-contracts-labor-days-organizing-roots-are-especially-strong-this-year/) - The early-September tribute to workers has been an official holiday for almost 130 years — but an emboldened labor movement has created an environment closer to the era from which Labor Day was born. Like the late 1800s, workers are facing rapid economic transformation — and a growing gap in pay between themselves and new billionaire leaders
- [After outrage over Taylor Swift tickets, reform has been slow across the US](https://bertmartinez.com/after-outrage-over-taylor-swift-tickets-reform-has-been-slow-across-the-us/) - Many of the major reforms to ticket sellers in the U.S. have failed to pass this year SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When thousands of fans couldn't get tickets for megastar Taylor Swift's summer stadium tour, some diehards paid upwards of 70 times face value to see their favorite artist in person — an outrage that prompted congressional
- [Revealed: 6 Unique Ways AI Is Future-Proofing Businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/revealed-6-unique-ways-ai-is-future-proofing-businesses/) - Running a business can be challenging at the best of times, and it's always a race to keep up with the competition and stay ahead of it by continually evolving and innovating. The boom in AI or Artificial Intelligence is making headlines in the business world nowadays as it gives entrepreneurs a new weapon
- [As Texas heat-safety battle rages, another delivery driver dies after a sweltering shift](https://bertmartinez.com/as-texas-heat-safety-battle-rages-another-delivery-driver-dies-after-a-sweltering-shift/) - Dueling policies over water breaks for laborers are caught in a court fight as federal officials probe more than 20 heat-related workplace deaths in the state this year. A second delivery driver has died in Texas amid record-high temperatures, just as the regulation of workplace heat safety enters a new legal limbo across the state.
- [U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in August, more than was expected](https://bertmartinez.com/u-s-economy-added-187000-jobs-in-august-more-than-was-expected/) - However, the unemployment rate was 3.8%, up significantly from July and the highest since February 2022. The U.S. added more jobs than expected in August, a sign of resilience for a labor market under pressure from Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Nonfarm payrolls grew by a seasonally adjusted 187,000 for the month, above the
- [Biden says U.S. is in one of 'the strongest job-creating periods' after jobs report](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-says-u-s-is-in-one-of-the-strongest-job-creating-periods-after-jobs-report/) - The economy added 187,000 jobs last month but also saw an uptick in unemployment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden touted the jobs report released Friday that showed employment growth in August, saying that the U.S. was in one of "the strongest job creating periods in our history." The Bureau of Labor Statistics
- [Burger King must face lawsuit claiming its Whoppers are too small](https://bertmartinez.com/burger-king-must-face-lawsuit-claiming-its-whoppers-are-too-small/) - A federal judge has rejected Burger King’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit claiming that it cheated hungry customers by making its Whopper sandwich appear larger than it actually is. U.S. District Judge Roy Altman in Miami said Burger King must defend against a claim that its depiction of Whoppers on in-store menu boards mislead reasonable
- [Hollywood hoped the writers strike would end with summer. But a deal remains nowhere in sight](https://bertmartinez.com/hollywood-hoped-the-writers-strike-would-end-with-summer-but-a-deal-remains-nowhere-in-sight/) - Summer is coming to a close, but Hollywood is still stuck in strike Hell. In the nearly four months since the Writers Guild of America, West, went on strike, television schedules have been shaken up, movies and shows have been bumped, once-glamorous red carpets have gone dark, and the laughter of late-night has died. A
- [Dollar General shares tumble after it cuts forecasts, blaming a spending slump and theft](https://bertmartinez.com/dollar-general-shares-tumble-after-it-cuts-forecasts-blaming-a-spending-slump-and-theft/) - Dollar General slashed its sales and profit outlook for the year on Thursday, blaming headwinds including weaker consumer spending on non-essential purchases and increasing theft. Dollar General shares tumbled about 14%, to about $135 a share, in midday trading Thursday. The discount store’s challenges are yet another sign of American consumers pulling back on shopping
- [Labor Day weekend gas prices are near all-time highs](https://bertmartinez.com/labor-day-weekend-gas-prices-are-near-all-time-highs/) - Drivers hitting the roads this Labor Day weekend will be greeted by historically high gas prices for this time of the year. The record-high for gas prices during the week leading up to Labor Day was set in 2012 at $3.84 a gallon, according to a CNN review of federal data that goes back to 1990. Current
- [Auto industry’s switch to EVs gets $12 billion in loans and grants from the US Energy Department](https://bertmartinez.com/auto-industrys-switch-to-evs-gets-12-billion-in-loans-and-grants-from-the-us-energy-department/) - The US Department of Energy said Thursday it plans to fuel the auto industry’s transition to electric vehicles with $12 billion in loans and grants. Hard on the heels of President Joe Biden’s goal to spur the sale of EVs in the United States, the Energy Department will provide $2 billion in grants and $10 billion
- [The US economy grew more slowly in the second quarter than previously estimated](https://bertmartinez.com/the-us-economy-grew-more-slowly-in-the-second-quarter-than-previously-estimated/) - The US economy grew more slowly in the second quarter than previously estimated — a good sign for the Federal Reserve, which is attempting to cool demand to bring down price increases. Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic output, rose at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the second quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s
- [Climate change has ravaged India’s rice stock. Now its export ban could deepen a global food crisis](https://bertmartinez.com/climate-change-has-ravaged-indias-rice-stock-now-its-export-ban-could-deepen-a-global-food-crisis/) - Satish Kumar sits in front of his submerged rice paddy in India’s Haryana state, looking despairingly at his ruined crops. “I’ve suffered a tremendous loss,” said the third generation farmer, who relies solely on growing the grain to feed his young family. “I will not be able to grow anything until November.” The newly planted
- [Google launches watermarks for AI-generated images](https://bertmartinez.com/google-launches-watermarks-for-ai-generated-images/) - In an effort to help prevent the spread of misinformation, Google on Tuesday unveiled an invisible, permanent watermark on images that will identify them as computer-generated. The technology, called SynthID, embeds the watermark directly into images created by Imagen, one of Google’s latest text-to-image generators. The AI-generated label remains regardless of modifications like added filters
- [Amazon CEO tells employees to return to the office or their days may be numbered](https://bertmartinez.com/amazon-ceo-tells-employees-to-return-to-the-office-or-their-days-may-be-numbered/) - Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees to get on board with the company’s return-to-office plan or to consider employment elsewhere, the company confirmed to CNN, after a report by Insider highlighted Jassy’s remarks from a recent internal event. Jassy’s message reflects Amazon’s continued pressure on US office staff to comply with a policy requiring them to
- [Employers could offer you tax-free help with your student loan payments. Most are not](https://bertmartinez.com/employers-could-offer-you-tax-free-help-with-your-student-loan-payments-most-are-not/) - As borrowers prepare to resume paying their federal student loans in the coming weeks, the IRS is reminding employers that they can help by offering workers up to $5,250 tax free as part of their educational assistance benefits. That $5,250 is the federal cap on the amount of tax-free money that employers may offer to
- [US job openings fall below 9 million for the first time since March 2021 By Alicia Wallace, CNN](https://bertmartinez.com/us-job-openings-fall-below-9-million-for-the-first-time-since-march-2021-by-alicia-wallace-cnn/) - The number of available jobs in the United States shrank for the third consecutive month, dropping below 9 million for the first time since early 2021, according to the latest data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, a smaller number of workers quit their jobs, businesses hired fewer workers and layoffs nudged
- [The US mall is not dying](https://bertmartinez.com/the-us-mall-is-not-dying/) - Retail experts have long sounded the alarm on malls in the US. But malls are not going extinct, they are merely adapting to a new environment. In fact, many have reported robust occupancy levels and bigger crowds than before the pandemic, according to a recent market analysis from Coresight Research. In a report published in June,
- [X will allow political ads again and hire for safety and election teams ahead of 2024 elections](https://bertmartinez.com/x-will-allow-political-ads-again-and-hire-for-safety-and-election-teams-ahead-of-2024-elections/) - X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, is hiring for its safety and elections teams ahead of the 2024 US presidential election and will again allow political ads for the first time since 2019. “We’re currently expanding our safety and elections teams to focus on combating manipulation, surfacing inauthentic accounts and closely monitoring the
- [Elon Musk's Tesla Cybertruck: 5 fast facts](https://bertmartinez.com/elon-musks-tesla-cybertruck-5-fast-facts/) - EV maker boasts electric truck is ‘rugged and refined’ The Tesla Cybertruck production candidate made its debut in Texas this week when CEO Elon Musk took the electric truck for a spin sharing the drive on X, the platform formally known as Twitter. Ticker Security Last Change Change % TSLA TESLA INC. 238.82 +0.23 +0.10% The reveal
- [San Francisco Nordstrom closes after more than 30 years in business amid retail exodus](https://bertmartinez.com/san-francisco-nordstrom-closes-after-more-than-30-years-in-business-amid-retail-exodus/) - Market Street Rack, which was located across the street from Nordstrom, closed earlier this summer A major staple in downtown San Francisco has closed its doors for good. After more than three decades, the San Francisco Centre Nordstrom store has shuttered – one of the latest retailers to do so as the city experiences a spike in
- [AI can help small businesses, startups boost search traffic](https://bertmartinez.com/ai-can-help-small-businesses-startups-boost-search-traffic/) - Small businesses and startups can grow their visibility on search engines by using AI to generate strategic content, according to FYC Labs' Justin Fortier Small businesses and startups are deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools to boost their visibility through search engine optimization (SEO) strategies that leverage generative AI according to one engineering and design consulting firm. Generative
- [America's skilled worker shortage impacting construction, manufacturing industries](https://bertmartinez.com/americas-skilled-worker-shortage-impacting-construction-manufacturing-industries/) - The U.S. economy had nearly 1 million job openings in the construction and manufacturing industries in June America’s shortage of skilled workers is impacting the ability of businesses in the construction and manufacturing industries to staff their businesses and complete jobs on time, prompting a search for a new type of talent pipeline for skilled workers to
- [National Cinema Day is back with $4 movie tickets](https://bertmartinez.com/national-cinema-day-is-back-with-4-movie-tickets/) - If you haven’t seen some of the summer’s hottest blockbusters, there’s no time like the present. Sunday is the second annual National Cinema Day. At more than 3,000 participating theaters across the country the price of a movie ticket is just $4. The last time the average movie ticket was priced this low was in 1989, according
- [Why do we say tall instead of small? How Starbucks created its own language for ordering coffee](https://bertmartinez.com/why-do-we-say-tall-instead-of-small-how-starbucks-created-its-own-language-for-ordering-coffee/) - “One tall iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte please,” is an order that will soon become a staple at Starbucks stores across the country. As we enter the holiday drink season, lengthy Starbucks orders with brand-specific vocabulary will soon be gracing our ears as we sip our 7 a.m. cup of joe. The classic
- [Americans are being asked to consider tipping more often, but is it really required?](https://bertmartinez.com/americans-are-being-asked-to-consider-tipping-more-often-but-is-it-really-required/) - Americans are being asked more and more often whether they would like to tack a tip onto their check, sometimes facing a screen that reads “add a tip?” Whether it’s paying for coffee, picking up food at a restaurant counter, or taking a ride-share, a tip is now requested — but is it required? “It’s
- [China says its ban on Japanese seafood is about safety. Is it really?](https://bertmartinez.com/china-says-its-ban-on-japanese-seafood-is-about-safety-is-it-really/) - In the busy streets of Hong Kong’s Central district the lunchtime queues snake around the swanky Japanese restaurants where high-end sushi can sell at $150 a pop just for a tasting menu. At Fumi, one of the more popular joints, the floors are packed with over a hundred people chattering away and chowing down.
- [Justin Trudeau blasts Facebook for blocking news as Canada’s wildfires rage](https://bertmartinez.com/justin-trudeau-blasts-facebook-for-blocking-news-as-canadas-wildfires-rage/) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blasted Facebook for “putting corporate profits ahead of people’s safety” as the social media platform continues to block news content while wildfires rage in Canada’s Northwest Territories and British Columbia. “It is so inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of ensuring that local news organizations
- [Mortgage rates are at a 23-year high. Here's what buyers can do to cut costs](https://bertmartinez.com/mortgage-rates-are-at-a-23-year-high-heres-what-buyers-can-do-to-cut-costs/) - Inflation ticked up in July and the benchmark interest rate is already at a 22-year high. With homebuyers already squeezed by current economic conditions, more unwelcome news came out on Wednesday: mortgage rates are now the highest they've been in 23 years. As such, mortgage applications are currently at a 28-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
- [Subway has sold itself to a private equity firm](https://bertmartinez.com/subway-has-sold-itself-to-a-private-equity-firm/) - Subway has sold itself to private equity firm Roark Capital, ending a six-month long search for a buyer. It brings to an end the sandwich chain’s near six-decade run as a family-owned business. In a statement, Subway said that the transaction is a “major milestone in Subway’s multi-year transformation journey, combining Subway’s global presence and brand
- [Ron DeSantis and his backers paid $95,000 to an Iowa religious leader’s group](https://bertmartinez.com/ron-desantis-and-his-backers-paid-95000-to-an-iowa-religious-leaders-group/) - As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis scrambles to shore up his struggling run for the Republican presidential nomination, he has spent far more than any rival on courting an influential Christian conservative leader and his following in the key early voting state of Iowa. Trailing far behind former President Donald Trump in national polls and beset by turmoil in
- [Easy ways to earn 5% interest (or more) on your savings](https://bertmartinez.com/easy-ways-to-earn-5-interest-or-more-on-your-savings/) - Over the last couple of years, persistent inflation has been chipping away at the value of the dollar and causing the cost of consumer goods to increase. And, while inflation appeared to be cooling over the last few months, the most recent CPI report showed that inflation actually ticked back up by 3.2% in July — an
- [3 smart places to put your money today](https://bertmartinez.com/3-smart-places-to-put-your-money-today/) - When it comes to creating a solid financial plan, there are a range of factors to consider. For starters, you need to ensure that you have a working budget so you know exactly where your money is going. And, you need to ensure that the money you earmark for investments is working as well as
- [Republican candidates prepare for first debate — with or without Trump](https://bertmartinez.com/republican-candidates-prepare-for-first-debate-with-or-without-trump/) - At least eight Republican presidential candidates say they've qualified for the first 2024 primary debate, which will be held in Milwaukee next week. The party's frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, leads the field in early-voting state polling by double digits, but said Sunday he would be skipping the debates, citing his lead in early polling. The other candidates say
- [3 great ways to get a lower mortgage interest rate in today's market](https://bertmartinez.com/3-great-ways-to-get-a-lower-mortgage-interest-rate-in-todays-market/) - With months of promising signs that inflation was finally cooling, many homebuyers were cautiously optimistic that interest rates would be coming down later this year and into 2024. But after a report that showed inflation ticked up in July again, that outlook seems less clear. And now there are some experts predicting additional rate hikes to come,
- [These are the 10 most popular and annoying business jargon in the workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/these-are-the-10-most-popular-and-annoying-business-jargon-in-the-workplace/) - These are the 10 most popular and annoying business jargon in the workplace Business jargon, also known as corporate speak – is a collection of buzzwords and phrases that have a double meaning, in both a literal and business sense. Used wisely, they can smooth communication and enhance credibility; used badly, or misunderstood, they can
- [Let go of past pain: A mind-body approach to healing ancestral trauma](https://bertmartinez.com/let-go-of-past-pain-a-mind-body-approach-to-healing-ancestral-trauma/) - In an age when technology allows for easy communication between people far and wide, why do so many of us feel so disconnected? Teacher, author and international facilitator Thomas Hübl sees this growing pattern of personal isolation, alienation and division on a global scale as the “manifestation of collective trauma.” So ubiquitous and insidious are the effects of this
- [How to tell if your stress levels are normal or the sign of something more](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-tell-if-your-stress-levels-are-normal-or-the-sign-of-something-more/) - Stress is an everyday occurrence for most people, but too much of it could be signs of a deeper issue. Stress is “a normal human response to anything physical or emotional that places a strain on the person,” said Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at The New York Presbyterian Hospital in
- [CBS News poll analysis looks at how Americans rate the economy through a partisan lens](https://bertmartinez.com/cbs-news-poll-analysis-looks-at-how-americans-rate-the-economy-through-a-partisan-lens/) - There are various factors that go into how people evaluate the country's economy — their own personal financial situation, the price of goods, economic indicators — but there's one more that might not immediately come to mind: political partisanship. Public perceptions of the nation's economy have grown more connected to political partisanship and more specifically,
- [Biden-Harris campaign adds new senior adviser to Harris team](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-harris-campaign-adds-new-senior-adviser-to-harris-team/) - The Biden-Harris campaign is adding a new hire to Vice President Kamala Harris' team. Sergio Gonzales, who advised Harris on policy while she was a senator, will be counseling Harris on campaign strategy and traveling with her on the campaign trail beginning in early fall, CBS News has learned. Gonzales will be based in the
- [The top 10 most visited US National Park sites are …](https://bertmartinez.com/the-top-10-most-visited-us-national-park-sites-are/) - The 424 sites administered by the US National Park Service continued to rebound from the pandemic last year, and a perennial favorite once again landed in the top spot for most visited site for 2022. Almost 312 million recreation visits were logged by the NPS in 2022, which is closing in on the pre-pandemic 2019 numbers of
- [Virtual contact was worse for older people during the pandemic than no contact, study finds](https://bertmartinez.com/virtual-contact-was-worse-for-older-people-during-the-pandemic-than-no-contact-study-finds/) - As the Covid-19 pandemic swept the globe in early 2020, people around the world found themselves confined to their homes and limited to speaking to friends and loved ones via phone or video chat. But rather than helping alleviate isolation, this virtual contact was more likely to result in older people feeling lonely, according to
- [Biden vs. Trump: The 2024 race a historic number of Americans don’t want](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-vs-trump-the-2024-race-a-historic-number-of-americans-dont-want/) - The 2024 presidential primaries are in full swing. President Joe Biden is the overhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination. Former President Donald Trump remains the clear front-runner for the Republican nod. This puts a lot of Americans in a position they don’t want to be in: A historically large share of them do not like either man at this point. A CNN/SSRS
- [More than 20 million Americans enrolled in a federal program for subsidized internet access](https://bertmartinez.com/more-than-20-million-americans-enrolled-in-a-federal-program-for-subsidized-internet-access/) - More than 20 million US households are now receiving discounts on internet service as part of a federal program created to close the digital divide, according to the Federal Communications Commission. The milestone highlights the cost of reliable internet service for low-income families, an issue that the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) seeks to address
- [CDC and WHO monitoring new Covid variant with large number of mutations](https://bertmartinez.com/cdc-and-who-monitoring-new-covid-variant-with-large-number-of-mutations/) - A handful of cases of BA.2.86 have been identified globally, but scientists aren't sure if the variant is capable of spreading widely. Global disease experts are monitoring a new variant, BA.2.86, that carries a large number of mutations — meaning it looks significantly different from the original version of Omicron and the previously dominant strain
- [Mike Pence says he didn't know of 'any broad-based effort' by Trump to declassify documents in office](https://bertmartinez.com/mike-pence-says-he-didnt-know-of-any-broad-based-effort-by-trump-to-declassify-documents-in-office/) - He said that didn't mean it didn't occur, just that he never heard about it. Former Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican presidential candidate, said Sunday he did not know of any “broad-based effort” by former President Donald Trump to declassify documents before he left the White House. “There is a process that the White
- [Biden strengthens U.S. ties with Japan and South Korea as leaders meet at Camp David](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-strengthens-u-s-ties-with-japan-and-south-korea-as-leaders-meet-at-camp-david/) - The first Camp David summit of Biden’s presidency comes as tensions between the U.S. and China have risen in recent years over Taiwan, economic issues and a spy balloon. President Joe Biden convened with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a Camp David summit on Friday, unveiling several agreements aimed at
- [Is It Okay To Exercise With A Cold? What To Know About Working Out While Sick From Doctors](https://bertmartinez.com/is-it-okay-to-exercise-with-a-cold-what-to-know-about-working-out-while-sick-from-doctors/) - When you're under the weather, skipping your workout seems like a no-brainer. But what should you do when you just have a cold or other minor sickness? Sure, you don’t feel as *amazing* as usual, but your symptoms aren't too severe—so is it okay to exercise with a cold or no? It's so easy to hit that
- [Being in good physical shape could reduce the risk of nine types of cancer, study finds](https://bertmartinez.com/being-in-good-physical-shape-could-reduce-the-risk-of-nine-types-of-cancer-study-finds/) - People at high fitness levels had an especially sizable reduction in their risk of gastrointestinal cancers, the research showed. People at high fitness levels had an especially sizable reduction in their risk of gastrointestinal cancers, the research showed. A new study adds to the large body of evidence that being in good physical shape can
- [Federal investigators dispatched to Maui to determine exact cause of catastrophic fire](https://bertmartinez.com/federal-investigators-dispatched-to-maui-to-determine-exact-cause-of-catastrophic-fire/) - The team of investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will examine the origin of a blaze that residents suspect was sparked by downed power lines. A team of investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was dispatched to Maui on Thursday to determine the exact origin and
- [Biden shouts during speech, challenges anyone to name 'one thing' the US set out to accomplish and failed](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-shouts-during-speech-challenges-anyone-to-name-one-thing-the-us-set-out-to-accomplish-and-failed/) - 'Name me a single objective we’ve ever set out to accomplish that we’ve failed on. Name me one!' President Biden on Wednesday changed his tone during a speech from the East Room of the White House on the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, challenging anyone to name a single objective the U.S. ever set
- [Delta Airlines passenger says plane stuck on tarmac for hours without food, water or bathrooms](https://bertmartinez.com/delta-airlines-passenger-says-plane-stuck-on-tarmac-for-hours-without-food-water-or-bathrooms/) - A Delta spokesperson said weather in Atlanta caused the diversion A Delta Air Lines flight from the Bahamas to Atlanta, Georgia was diverted on Aug. 12, leaving passengers stuck on the tarmac for four hours without food, water, or even access to a bathroom. Delta flight 5062 took off from North Eleuthera, Bahamas, on Aug. 12 at
- [5 Best Google Ads Alternatives To Diversify & Grow](https://bertmartinez.com/5-best-google-ads-alternatives-to-diversify-grow/) - Google Ads aren’t the only way to drive new customers and re-engage existing ones. Discover the top 5 alternatives to create a holistic marketing strategy. It’s no secret the Google Ads platform has long dominated the online advertising marketing share. Google’s network is one of the best places for brands to get their products or services
- [Microsoft’s AI-Powered Chatbot Failing to Gain Market Share](https://bertmartinez.com/microsofts-ai-powered-chatbot-failing-to-gain-market-share/) - Microsoft’s addition of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot to Bing has reportedly gained it little market share among search engines. Bing had a 3% share of the search market in January — a month before the launch of the AI-powered offering — and it still had a 3% share in July, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Thursday (Aug.
- [Trump's legal team seeks to delay federal election interference trial until 2026](https://bertmartinez.com/trumps-legal-team-seeks-to-delay-federal-election-interference-trial-until-2026/) - Former President Donald Trump wants a federal judge to reject special counsel Jack Smith's request to get the trial underway in early January of next year. WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner in polls for the 2024 Republican nomination, is seeking to delay his federal trial on charges related to his efforts to stop
- [Texas man has hands and toes amputated after contracting typhus from a flea bite](https://bertmartinez.com/texas-man-has-hands-and-toes-amputated-after-contracting-typhus-from-a-flea-bite/) - Though rare, typhus has been detected in warm parts of the U.S., including Southern California, Hawaii and Texas. A Texas man has lost his hands and parts of his feet after contracting a severe case of typhus from a flea bite. Michael Kohlhof, 35, began to show flu-like symptoms, including a fever and upset stomach,
- [Space race 2.0: Russia, India, China and the U.S. are heading for the lunar south pole](https://bertmartinez.com/space-race-2-0-russia-india-china-and-the-u-s-are-heading-for-the-lunar-south-pole/) - Uncrewed Russian and Indian spacecraft could land in the area next week, while the U.S. is trying to land astronauts there by 2025. The space race is back on, now with more countries competing. Roughly six decades after the Soviet Union and the U.S. raced each other to get to the moon, a new competition has emerged.
- [Weekly mortgage demand drops again as interest rates match a 22-year high](https://bertmartinez.com/weekly-mortgage-demand-drops-again-as-interest-rates-match-a-22-year-high/) - Last year the 30-year fixed was 5.45%, and in 2021, it was in the 3% range, showing just how far costs have risen since the Federal Reserve began raising rates. Mortgage rates rose for the third straight week last week, matching a 22-year high. As a result, mortgage demand dropped as well. Total mortgage application
- [A Vietnamese electric carmaker is now worth more than Volkswagen and Ford](https://bertmartinez.com/a-vietnamese-electric-carmaker-is-now-worth-more-than-volkswagen-and-ford/) - One of Vietnam’s biggest automakers has made a big splash on its entry to Wall Street, pushing its market capitalization above that of industry giants such as Volkswagen and Ford. VinFast, an electric vehicle maker, enjoyed a red-hot debut in New York on Tuesday after merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Black Spade
- [Lance Reddick, star of ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick,’ dead at 60](https://bertmartinez.com/lance-reddick-star-of-the-wire-and-john-wick-dead-at-60/) - Lance Reddick, an actor known for his performance as Cedric Daniels on “The Wire” and for his work in the “John Wick” franchise, has died, according to his representative, Mia Hansen. He was 60. Hansen said Reddick passed away suddenly on Friday morning “from natural causes.” “Lance will be greatly missed,” she said. Reddick, an actor whose captivating
- [Don’t use sugar substitutes for weight loss, World Health Organization advises](https://bertmartinez.com/dont-use-sugar-substitutes-for-weight-loss-world-health-organization-advises/) - Don’t use sugar substitutes if you are trying to lose weight, according to new guidance from the World Health Organization. The global health body said a systematic review of the available evidence suggests the use of non-sugar sweeteners, or NSS, “does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.” “Replacing
- [Two brands suspend advertising on X after their ads appeared next to pro-Nazi content](https://bertmartinez.com/two-brands-suspend-advertising-on-x-after-their-ads-appeared-next-to-pro-nazi-content/) - At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an account promoting fascism. The issue came less than a week after X CEO Linda Yaccarino publicly affirmed the company’s commitment to brand safety for advertisers. The nonprofit
- [Excessive social media use has many of the same effects as substance abuse, says expert](https://bertmartinez.com/excessive-social-media-use-has-many-of-the-same-effects-as-substance-abuse-says-expert/) - How to know if you're addicted — and how to 'detox,' according to a clinical psychologist The average American spends nearly 2½ hours per day on social media, and that number more than doubles for teens, studies have shown. For many people, the reliance on social media can feel much like an addiction — and many experts
- [Biden floats nearly $20M in prizes for AI tools that secure US computer code](https://bertmartinez.com/biden-floats-nearly-20m-in-prizes-for-ai-tools-that-secure-us-computer-code/) - The White House said protecting computer code is a top challenge for cybersecurity The White House launched a two-year competition this week that will award millions of dollars in prize money to teams that develop artificial intelligence tools that can be used to protect critical U.S. computer code. "This competition, which will feature almost $20 million in
- [Abortion rights keep winning on the ballot in conservative states — Florida and Arizona could be next](https://bertmartinez.com/abortion-rights-keep-winning-on-the-ballot-in-conservative-states-florida-and-arizona-could-be-next/) - KEY POINTS Ohio is the latest in a string of conservative states to reject GOP-backed campaigns to make constitutional changes targeting abortion rights. Kansas and Kentucky voted down anti-abortion constitutional amendments last year. Abortion could prove crucial to driving turnout for Democrats in the 2024 presidential election. Activists in Arizona, a key swing state, are
- [Air pollution may be to blame for thousands of dementia cases each year, researchers say](https://bertmartinez.com/air-pollution-may-be-to-blame-for-thousands-of-dementia-cases-each-year-researchers-say/) - Nearly 188,000 dementia cases in the U.S. each year may have been caused by air pollution, researchers estimate, with bad air quality from wildfires and agriculture showing the strongest links to a person's risk of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia later in life. Published Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open, the new estimates are the latest
- [Tyrese Gibson accuses The Home Depot of racial discrimination in lawsuit](https://bertmartinez.com/tyrese-gibson-accuses-the-home-depot-of-racial-discrimination-in-lawsuit/) - The singer and “Fast & Furious” actor says he is suing the home improvement store over an alleged incident involving two of his employees at a California store. Tyrese Gibson accused The Home Depot of discriminatory mistreatment in a lawsuit filed this week. On Aug. 9, the singer and “Fast & Furious” actor filed a
- [Long-term use of certain reflux medications is associated with a higher risk of dementia, study suggests](https://bertmartinez.com/long-term-use-of-certain-reflux-medications-is-associated-with-a-higher-risk-of-dementia-study-suggests/) - Millions of Americans take medications known as proton pump inhibitors every day to treat heartburn and acid reflux, and in recent years, these drugs, also known as PPIs, have been linked to a greater risk of kidney failure, stroke, and early death from any cause. And new research suggests that there may also be a higher risk of dementia
- [Cook at center of Australia mushroom mystery gives her account of fatal meal](https://bertmartinez.com/cook-at-center-of-australia-mushroom-mystery-gives-her-account-of-fatal-meal/) - Erin Patterson said she bought the mushrooms used to cook the deadly dish at a major supermarket chain and an Asian grocery store in Melbourne. The woman who cooked and served a meal that is believed to have killed three people and left another fighting for his life has spoken out to give her version of events.
- [The secret memo and obscure lawyer at the center of the Trump indictment](https://bertmartinez.com/the-secret-memo-and-obscure-lawyer-at-the-center-of-the-trump-indictment/) - The newly revealed document shows us how the fake elector scheme evolved. Former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election has brought a lot of national attention to a previously unknown lawyer: Kenneth Chesebro, christened “Co-Conspirator 5” in special counsel Jack Smith’s federal indictment on Aug. 1. Amid the swarm of bold-faced public figures who have dominated the
- [Kylian Mbappé reinstated into PSG’s first-team squad after ‘positive talks’ with the club](https://bertmartinez.com/kylian-mbappe-reinstated-into-psgs-first-team-squad-after-positive-talks-with-the-club/) - Kylian Mbappé has been reinstated into the Paris Saint-Germain first-team after being frozen out of the squad during its preseason tour of Japan, amid his ongoing transfer saga. The Frenchman watched from the stands as his team drew 0-0 against Lorient in its first league game of the season Saturday. The 24-year-old has been training separately from the
- [Florida is now America’s inflation hotspot](https://bertmartinez.com/florida-is-now-americas-inflation-hotspot/) - Florida is America’s inflation hotspot because of a persistent problem with sky-high housing costs. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area has the highest inflation rate of metro areas with more than 2.5 million residents, with a 9% inflation rate for the 12 months ended in April. That’s more than double the national average of 4%, according
- [3 investigations and 2 words no president wants to hear](https://bertmartinez.com/3-investigations-and-2-words-no-president-wants-to-hear/) - Three separate investigations and two words that no president ever, ever wants to hear: special counsel. These are the independent lawyers appointed, usually by attorneys general, to look, without conflict of interest, into actions involving the president or his administration. While you might have forgotten their names, you’re familiar with their work. Watergate. Iran-Contra. Whitewater. The
- [How a critical cancer drug became hard to find in the U.S.](https://bertmartinez.com/how-a-critical-cancer-drug-became-hard-to-find-in-the-u-s/) - Cisplatin, a crucial chemotherapy drug, has been in short supply since February. NBC News mapped the drug’s journey across the globe to show how the shortage came to be. A shortage of a critical cancer drug that’s left doctors and patients in the U.S. scrambling for other treatment options began halfway around the world, at a drug
- [Attorney General Garland appoints a special counsel in Hunter Biden probe](https://bertmartinez.com/attorney-general-garland-appoints-a-special-counsel-in-hunter-biden-probe/) - U.S. Attorney David Weiss will be appointed special counsel in the ongoing probe of the president's son Hunter Biden. WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney David Weiss was appointed special counsel in the ongoing probe of the president's son Hunter Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Friday. Weiss will be responsible for the “ongoing investigation" of President Joe
- [Crop failures in places like China, the world’s biggest food-producing country.](https://bertmartinez.com/crop-failures-in-places-like-china-the-worlds-biggest-food-producing-country/) - Chinese farmers hit by floods and drought say extreme weather is getting worse Experts say climate change could contribute to widespread crop failures in places like China, the world’s biggest food-producing country. BEIJING — First, temperatures soared for weeks on end, baking the Chinese capital in triple-digit heat. A month later, flooding from Beijing's worst
- [Drought and wind: How Maui's wildfires turned into a tragedy](https://bertmartinez.com/drought-and-wind-how-mauis-wildfires-turned-into-a-tragedy/) - The catastrophic wildfires in Hawaii that have killed at least 53 people in Maui and reduced much of a historic seaside town to ash were fueled by severe drought conditions and fierce, hurricane-strength winds — a confluence of extremes amplified by climate change that experts say quickly turned a bad situation into a worst-case scenario. A wildfire
- [Republicans torch Biden paying Iran $6 billion for American hostages: 'a terrible deal'](https://bertmartinez.com/republicans-torch-biden-paying-iran-6-billion-for-american-hostages-a-terrible-deal/) - Republicans online torched President Biden's $6 billion deal to free American hostages from the Iranian regime. The New York Times reported Thursday that Biden had negotiated the release of five American hostages from Iran in exchange for a handful of Iranian nationals serving prison sentences for violating sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Sources told the paper
- [Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Harrison Ford](https://bertmartinez.com/amazing-facts-you-didnt-know-about-harrison-ford/) - Harrison Ford is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and recognizable actors. He first became known when he took on the role of Han Solo in the legendary Star Wars Trilogy but also wowed audiences later with his portrayal of the iconic Indiana Jones. What makes Ford so unique as an actor is his relatability, as
- [On this day in history, August 11, 1964, Beatles' iconic film 'A Hard Day's Night' is released](https://bertmartinez.com/on-this-day-in-history-august-11-1964-beatles-iconic-film-a-hard-days-night-is-released/) - The iconic British comedy musical film, "A Hard Day’s Night," was released on this day in history, Aug. 11, 1964, and starred the Beatles in their first feature movie. The movie was released during the height of Beatlemania as well as the British Invasion, and "A Hard Day’s Night" is widely considered a classic, according to Britannica.com.
- [Evacuations underway in Norway as flooding, landslides wreak havoc, more disruptions feared](https://bertmartinez.com/evacuations-underway-in-norway-as-flooding-landslides-wreak-havoc-more-disruptions-feared/) - Approximately 200 individuals were bused to nearby hotel, with assistance from Red Cross officials Rescue operations were launched on Thursday to evacuate regions inundated by relentless rain in southeastern Norway. Residents were on high alert as rivers, swollen by days of heavy rainfall, surged through the mountainous terrain, raising the risk of landslides and further
- [Antiwork trends like ‘lazy girl jobs’ show how young people are rallying against burnout culture](https://bertmartinez.com/antiwork-trends-like-lazy-girl-jobs-show-how-young-people-are-rallying-against-burnout-culture/) - Some advocates say trends like "lazy girl jobs" and "quiet quitting" are attempts to reclaim some power in the face of corporate exploitation. “Lazy girl jobs” — a viral term that refers to well-paying, flexible jobs that allow for leisure time — are anything but lazy. Just ask the employees who occupy these types of
- [New Mexico plastics fire that released hazardous pollutants could smolder for days](https://bertmartinez.com/new-mexico-plastics-fire-that-released-hazardous-pollutants-could-smolder-for-days/) - Firefighters in Albuquerque have contained the fire, which prompted a health alert. Firefighters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have contained a gigantic plastics fire that prompted a health alert about hazardous air pollution. But authorities say the debris could still smolder for days. Responders were dispatched on Sunday afternoon to a facility that manufactures and recycles
- [Utah man killed by FBI agents after he allegedly made threats against Biden ahead of president’s visit](https://bertmartinez.com/utah-man-killed-by-fbi-agents-after-he-allegedly-made-threats-against-biden-ahead-of-presidents-visit/) - FBI special agents shot and killed a Utah man Wednesday while attempting to arrest him for allegedly making threats against President Joe Biden ahead of the president’s trip to the state. FBI SWAT agents were giving commands to the man when he pointed a gun at them, according to a law enforcement source familiar with
- [NYC Mayor Adams slams ‘right to shelter,’ says migrant crisis ‘not sustainable’ after touting sanctuary status](https://bertmartinez.com/nyc-mayor-adams-slams-right-to-shelter-says-migrant-crisis-not-sustainable-after-touting-sanctuary-status/) - Mayor Adams has appealed to the Biden administration for help as thousands of migrants push the city toward a budgetary crisis New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday admitted during a press conference that the city’s accommodation of migrants "is just not sustainable." The Democratic mayor noted that, under New York City’s current mandate, anyone can arrive
- [Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager as he reboots his presidential bid](https://bertmartinez.com/ron-desantis-replaces-his-campaign-manager-as-he-reboots-his-presidential-bid/) - Generra Peck was dropped weeks before the first GOP debate, which advisers say is key to getting the Florida governor's campaign back on track. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is shaking up his campaign leadership, bringing in James Uthmeier, his longtime chief of staff, as his new presidential campaign manager, the latest move
- [Authorities are investigating approximately 30 submerged vehicles found in a South Florida lake](https://bertmartinez.com/authorities-are-investigating-approximately-30-submerged-vehicles-found-in-a-south-florida-lake/) - An underwater search team that specializes in missing persons cold cases discovered approximately 30 cars submerged in a South Florida lake over the weekend, police said. Dive teams from multiple agencies will be recovering the vehicles from the lake in Doral and “a thorough investigation will take place,” according to the Doral Police Department. “As
- [Tesla profits climb despite price cuts Chris Isidore By Chris Isidore, CNN](https://bertmartinez.com/tesla-profits-climb-despite-price-cuts-chris-isidore-by-chris-isidore-cnn/) - Tesla reported a much bigger than expected increase in profits, despite a series of price cuts that trimmed the amount of revenue per vehicle sold. Tesla (TSLA) reported adjusted earnings of $3.1 billion, or 91 cents a share, up 20% from the second quarter last year. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had forecast earnings of 82 cents a
- [GOP hopefuls raise prospect of ‘President Harris’ as way to undercut Biden](https://bertmartinez.com/gop-hopefuls-raise-prospect-of-president-harris-as-way-to-undercut-biden/) - Republican presidential candidates are increasingly making Vice President Kamala Harris their prime target as they jockey for attention from voters, focusing on the No. 2 Democrat rather than President Joe Biden. In statements, speeches, televised interviews and emails, they suggest that a vote for Biden, who would be 82 at the start of his next term, would really
- [A day of legal action in Trump imbroglio previews a chaotic 2024 election year](https://bertmartinez.com/a-day-of-legal-action-in-trump-imbroglio-previews-a-chaotic-2024-election-year/) - A whirl of developments in a quartet of cases in four separate cities encapsulate the vast legal quagmire swamping Donald Trump and threatening to overwhelm the entire 2024 presidential campaign. But Monday’s hectic lawyering was just a tame preview of next year when the ex-president and current Republican front-runner may be constantly shuttling between courtroom criminal trials
- [White mother claims Southwest Airlines thought she was trafficking when traveling with her Black daughter, according to lawsuit](https://bertmartinez.com/white-mother-claims-southwest-airlines-thought-she-was-trafficking-when-traveling-with-her-black-daughter-according-to-lawsuit/) - A mother is suing Southwest Airlines for racial discrimination, saying she was accused of human trafficking when traveling with her biracial child. Mary MacCarthy, who is White, traveled from California to Denver with her daughter, who is Black, to attend her brother’s funeral in October of 2021, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday. “Unbeknownst to
- [Maryland Institute: Women have more alcohol-related emergency department visits than men](https://bertmartinez.com/maryland-institute-women-have-more-alcohol-related-emergency-department-visits-than-men/) - Compared to men, women have had more significant increases in alcohol-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the past 20 years. That's according to a study in 2020 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland. The stresses that come with motherhood are well-documented, but the
- [As a summer wave of Covid-19 hits the US, questions about vaccines, quarantine and testing are back](https://bertmartinez.com/as-a-summer-wave-of-covid-19-hits-the-us-questions-about-vaccines-quarantine-and-testing-are-back/) - (CNN) — Covid-19 is on the rise again as the world approaches the fourth virus season since the coronavirus arrived on the scene. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show a slight increase in hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and positive Covid-19 tests — although not nearly as high as in past summers.
- [Wells Fargo customers scramble after deposits disappear from their accounts](https://bertmartinez.com/wells-fargo-customers-scramble-after-deposits-disappear-from-their-accounts/) - For the second time this year, Wells Fargo has acknowledged that direct deposits were not showing up in customers’ accounts. Amber Matherly had planned to move into her new apartment Thursday. To do so, Matherly, a Dallas resident, had deposited a check into her Wells Fargo account the previous evening; she also expected a direct
- [Judge temporarily exempts women with complicated pregnancies from Texas abortion ban](https://bertmartinez.com/judge-temporarily-exempts-women-with-complicated-pregnancies-from-texas-abortion-ban/) - Travis County District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum in her ruling sided with women and doctors who sued Texas over the abortion ban. Demonstrators march towards the Texas Capitol building during a national walk out in support of abortion rights at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, in 2022.Sergio Flores / Bloomberg via Getty Images file Women
- [Chihuahua, Mexico, will no longer allow musical performances with lyrics considered misogynistic](https://bertmartinez.com/chihuahua-mexico-will-no-longer-allow-musical-performances-with-lyrics-considered-misogynistic/) - Officials in Chihuahua, Mexico, voted to ban live musical performances with lyrics that degrade or discriminate against women last week. Those who violate the restriction could face fines from 674,000 to 1.2 million pesos, or the U.S. equivalent of $39,000 and $71,000. The move comes as Mexico, especially Chihuahua, has been dealing with a high rate of
- [Obama biographer says ex-president 'as insecure as Trump,' would be 'terrible' on SCOTUS in stunning interview](https://bertmartinez.com/obama-biographer-says-ex-president-as-insecure-as-trump-would-be-terrible-on-scotus-in-stunning-interview/) - Biographer David Garrow revealed Obama was 'infuriated' that Garrow called his memoir 'historical fiction' A 16,000-plus word interview with former President Barack Obama’s award-winning biographer has raised eyebrows for an assortment of reasons, ranging from his renewed allegation that Obama's first memoir was fictionalized to the observation he's as "insecure" as political rival Donald Trump. Tablet’s lengthy Q&A with
- [Retailers already planning to reallocate Bud Light's shelf space, rival drink executive says](https://bertmartinez.com/retailers-already-planning-to-reallocate-bud-lights-shelf-space-rival-drink-executive-says/) - The Wall Street Journal noted that the 'biggest beneficiary of Bud Light’s woes' is rival company Molson Coors Beverage The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that "Bud Light sales might never fully regain the ground they have lost to competitors" as stores clear their shelves to make room for other brands. Bud Light sparked a firestorm
- [Biden's latest fun-killing move ignores real health hazard to America's youth](https://bertmartinez.com/bidens-latest-fun-killing-move-ignores-real-health-hazard-to-americas-youth/) - We should all recognize the danger of letting unelected bureaucrats make decisions What is it with the left that they want to ban nearly everything that is fun or convenient? Gas stoves, dishwashers, plastic straws, gas cars, snowmobiles and diving boards. And now the health busybodies want to ban certain cigars. Recently, a gang of senators led
- [A new study finds a strong link between depression and dementia](https://bertmartinez.com/a-new-study-finds-a-strong-link-between-depression-and-dementia/) - A diagnosis of depression in adulthood could more than double your risk of developing dementia in older age, according to a new study. The study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology, used data from more than 1.4 million Danish citizens who were followed from 1977 to 2018, said lead study author Dr. Holly Elser, epidemiologist and
- [Protesters face off outside federal courthouse as Trump arraigned](https://bertmartinez.com/protesters-face-off-outside-federal-courthouse-as-trump-arraigned/) - More than 100 protesters and supporters gathered outside the courthouse. Police and protesters -- for and against Donald Trump -- faced off outside the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., where the former president was arraigned Thursday afternoon. More than 100 protesters gathered outside the courthouse before Trump's 4 p.m. arraignment. They were joined by a large police presence patrolling
- [Biden’s attempt to regulate pistol braces dealt blow after appeals court casts doubt on constitutionality](https://bertmartinez.com/bidens-attempt-to-regulate-pistol-braces-dealt-blow-after-appeals-court-casts-doubt-on-constitutionality/) - Pistol braces make it easier to aim and fire a gun with one hand The Biden administration’s effort to regulate pistol braces was dealt a blow Tuesday after a ruling by a federal appeals court cast doubt on its constitutionality. The Biden admin rule required gun owners to register pistol braces, which are accessories that can be attached to
- [American fugitive who faked his own death faces extradition from UK: judge](https://bertmartinez.com/american-fugitive-who-faked-his-own-death-faces-extradition-from-uk-judge/) - Nicholas Alahverdian allegedly goes by 10 different aliases, is wanted on rape charge in Utah An American fugitive faked his own death in 2020 and moved to Scotland to avoid a 2008 rape charge, according to global authorities. Now, a U.K. judge has decided that the "manipulative" 35-year-old fugitive, who calls himself Arthur Knight but goes by aliases
- [DeSantis blasted by critics, Trump world over indictment response: 'Not a wartime conservative'](https://bertmartinez.com/desantis-blasted-by-critics-trump-world-over-indictment-response-not-a-wartime-conservative/) - Some conservatives called on DeSantis to promise to pardon the former president Supporters of former President Donald Trump and other conservatives lashed out at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for what they said was an underwhelming response to news of the latest indictment against Trump and said it shows he's the wrong pick for 2024. "As President, I
- [UnitedHealth sued by Labor Dept.](https://bertmartinez.com/unitedhealth-sued-by-labor-dept/) - UnitedHealth Group is facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Labor over allegations that its third-party administrator UMR denied services that should have been covered. Self-funded health insurance plans, which are common at large employers, are regulated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, though it’s unusual to see the Labor Department intervene, Bloomberg
- [Bed, Bath & Beyond is back — online](https://bertmartinez.com/bed-bath-beyond-is-back-online/) - It’s official: Overstock is now Bed, Bath and Beyond. The former site for marked-down furniture has sublimated itself into the go-to destination for housewares, after buying the intellectual property of bankrupt Bed and Bath for $21.5 million in June. The new site — which pops up under a search for either company — will
- [Fed to pause interest-rate hikes?](https://bertmartinez.com/fed-to-pause-interest-rate-hikes/) - A September pause in interest-rate hikes is looking increasingly likely, Wall Street economists say, amid milder-than-expected inflation, moderated consumer spending and lessening wage pressures. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had left open the possibility of another rate increase in September, after raising rates to a 22-year-high last week. Two key events that could help determine
- [Uber hits first operating profit](https://bertmartinez.com/uber-hits-first-operating-profit/) - Big surprises from Uber on Tuesday, as the ride-hailing app announced its first-ever operating profit of $326 million in the second quarter. The company's net income soundly beat expectations, coming in at $394 million, instead of the projected $49.2 million loss. Driving the numbers: record ridership, with number of trips booked jumping 26% in
- [Flight demand starts to level off](https://bertmartinez.com/flight-demand-starts-to-level-off/) - Americans were eager to fly after COVID restrictions were dropped, but that trend may be fading. Second-quarter purchases for tickets declined for the first time in more than two years, according to data from Bloomberg Second Measure. Recent record-high inflation is one possible reason, as flyers reassess their spending habits — something they’ve been
- [Birkenstock sliding toward an IPO?](https://bertmartinez.com/birkenstock-sliding-toward-an-ipo/) - The private equity firm that owns Birkenstock could try an initial public offering on for size as soon as September, anonymous sources have told Bloomberg and the Financial Times. L Catterton, which is backed by French fashion powerhouse LVMH, is reportedly working on a listing that could value the footwear giant at more than $8
- [Home insurers charge more for less](https://bertmartinez.com/home-insurers-charge-more-for-less/) - Home insurers are charging more and covering less as they try to bounce back from five years of losses. A damaging combination of storms, natural disasters, inflation and supply-chain problems has driven up the number of claims, leaving insurers struggling to cope despite rate hikes of as much as 30% in some states. Some insurers,
- [Walmart invests $1.4B in Flipkart](https://bertmartinez.com/walmart-invests-1-4b-in-flipkart/) - Walmart has paid $1.4 billion to buy major investor Tiger Global's remaining shares of Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, The Wall Street Journal reports. While Walmart initially invested in the company in 2018, when it paid $16 billion for a 77% stake, its buy-in now gives it more exposure to the booming international digital-consumer market. Flipkart
- [Third of S&P to report earnings](https://bertmartinez.com/third-of-sp-to-report-earnings/) - Economists are keeping a close eye on corporate income statements for clues about consumer spending patterns. Just over a third of S&P 500 companies will report earnings this week, including tech heavyweights Apple and Amazon. According to FactSet, corporations' total net income is on track to average a 7.3% drop in the second quarter from
- [Trucking firm Yellow closes](https://bertmartinez.com/trucking-firm-yellow-closes/) - Yellow, one of America's biggest and oldest trucking companies, shut down operations on Sunday and laid off workers at all locations. The 99-year-old company cut about 33,000 jobs, 22,000 of which were members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union. Hundreds of non-union workers were let go Friday. Yellow's shutdown comes amid recent troubles for
- [The rise of extended-stay hotels](https://bertmartinez.com/the-rise-of-extended-stay-hotels/) - Luxury hotels are out, extended-stay hotels offering "living space-like" qualities are in. Thanks to the growing popularity of remote work and more on-the-go jobs that are leaving employees hitting the road for longer, the hospitality industry and business travelers are shifting their focus to extended-stays, The New York Times reports. The plus side for hotel
- [High temps to impact Texas economy](https://bertmartinez.com/high-temps-to-impact-texas-economy/) - Texas may be used to sweltering temperatures, but as extreme heat persists in cities such as Houston, it could affect its overall economy. Between mid-June and mid-July, payroll platform Gusto found that small- and mid-sized businesses in tourism, the arts and sports and recreation spaces had employees working an average of 19.6 hours a week,
- [Airlines tested by extreme heat](https://bertmartinez.com/airlines-tested-by-extreme-heat/) - Air travel during the summer is rarely easy, but this year's record-shattering heat is throwing new challenges at airlines and passengers. The extreme temperatures are forcing carriers to reduce weight so they can take off in the lighter air, The Wall Street Journal reports. Airlines are also taking additional steps to cool the cabin before
- [More Americans taking vacation](https://bertmartinez.com/more-americans-taking-vacation/) - Americans are vacationing more this summer than they have in a decade. The number of workers taking vacation days in June grew 11% from the previous year, and the amount of time they took off rose by 5%. So what's behind the vacation boom? With more economists expecting a "soft-landing" for the economy, Americans may
- [The best bet in retail: Strip malls](https://bertmartinez.com/the-best-bet-in-retail-strip-malls/) - The hottest real estate right now? Strip malls. While office space sits empty and home sales slow, the suburban mainstays are seeing a physical occupancy rate of over 92% — on par with before the pandemic. With more Americans working from home, and often on flexible schedules, a local strip mall is often the closest
- [Fed's inflation gauge cooled in June](https://bertmartinez.com/feds-inflation-gauge-cooled-in-june/) - A key price gauge fell in June even as consumer spending advanced, pointing to a possible “soft landing” for the economy — in which successive interest-rate hikes slow inflation without causing recession. The Federal Reserve’s preferred price measure, excluding food and fuel, rose an annual 4.1% last month, after increasing 4.6% in May. Spending
- [Emmy Awards delayed over strikes](https://bertmartinez.com/emmy-awards-delayed-over-strikes/) - As actor and writer strikes shut down Hollywood, this year's Emmy Awards have been postponed for the first time since 2001. Variety reports that the 75th annual show, which had been set to air on Fox on Sept. 18, has given official word to vendors of a delay. It comes as union strike rules call
- [Superconductor brings questions](https://bertmartinez.com/superconductor-brings-questions/) - A scientific breakthrough being hailed as "one of the holy grails of modern physics" is also raising some eyebrows, reports The Independent. New papers state that scientists in South Korea claim to have produced a new superconductor — a material that conveys electricity without losing energy to electrical resistance — that works at room temperature
- [July likely hottest month on record](https://bertmartinez.com/july-likely-hottest-month-on-record/) - July is on pace to be the hottest month on record, a European climate agency and the World Meteorological Organization said Thursday. Climate scientists predict this is the beginning of a multi-year period of record-shattering temperatures — an “era of global boiling,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, speaking to the findings. Immediate action
- [Home buyers seek loans from sellers](https://bertmartinez.com/home-buyers-seek-loans-from-sellers/) - As mortgage rates continue to rise on the back of higher interest rates, seller-financing of home sales is gaining traction, according to The Wall Street Journal. The practice arises in situations where a buyer seeks lower rates from the seller than they can get at a bank — or to avoid paying closing costs. The
- [Tesla's Autopilot faces new probe](https://bertmartinez.com/teslas-autopilot-faces-new-probe/) - California’s attorney general has launched an inquiry into Tesla’s Autopilot feature and marketing practices, according to CNBC.The state is actively calling on customers and former employees to report "issues and false advertising complaints" related to Autopilot's safety. One Tesla owner told the Federal Trade Commission there was an issue with “phantom braking” while driving the
- [Meta surges as ads bounce back](https://bertmartinez.com/meta-surges-as-ads-bounce-back/) - Meta is the latest beneficiary of a digital-advertising rebound. The Facebook parent reported a 12% surge in second-quarter revenue Wednesday — its first double-digit growth since the end of 2021 — and boosted its outlook for the third quarter. The company's ad-targeting efforts, now augmented by artificial intelligence, are helping it regain ground after Apple's
- [Automakers put $1B into EV chargers](https://bertmartinez.com/automakers-put-1b-into-ev-chargers/) - A number of the world's biggest automakers are teaming up to build thousands of new chargers for electric vehicles — thereby removing one of the biggest deterrents for prospective EV buyers in the U.S. BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Jeep maker Stellantiswill together spend at least $1 billion to add around 30,000 fast
- [Gap taps Mattel leader as new CEO](https://bertmartinez.com/gap-taps-mattel-leader-as-new-ceo/) - This Barbie — well, Barbie maker — is on a mission to rescue an apparel icon. Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel, is leaving the toy giant to take the helm at Gap Inc. It's been a year since former Gap CEO Sonia Syngal stepped down, leaving the parent of Banana Republic,
- [Fed lifts rates to 22-year high](https://bertmartinez.com/fed-lifts-rates-to-22-year-high/) - The Federal Reserve lifted interest rates again on Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to achieving a 2% annual rate of inflation. “We’ve covered a lot of ground and the full effects of tightening have yet to be felt,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said following the unanimous decision by policymakers. The bank raised its benchmark lending rate
- [General Electric powers up again](https://bertmartinez.com/general-electric-powers-up-again/) - General Electric is in the midst of a hot streak. The multinational conglomerate reported stronger-than-anticipated second quarter earnings and raised its 2023 profit outlook on Tuesday. The results — buoyed by its jet engine and renewable energy businesses — lifted shares, but GE stock had already been on a tear on the S&P 500 over
- [GM gives Chevy Bolt a second life](https://bertmartinez.com/gm-gives-chevy-bolt-a-second-life/) - General Motors has made a U-turn on its decision to discontinue a best-seller. It will unveil an updated version of its most notable electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Bolt, underpinned by GM’s newer Ultium battery technology. CEO Mary Barra cited the Bolt's popularity, including "some of the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty scores in the industry,"
- [Harvard's legacy admissions probed](https://bertmartinez.com/harvards-legacy-admissions-probed/) - Harvard's legacy admissions are facing a civil rights probe by the U.S. Education Department in the wake of the Supreme Court's June decision that ended affirmative action. The investigation was launched after three groups — Chica Project, ACEDONE and the Greater Boston Latino Network — filed a complaint following the high court ruling. They argue
- [How extreme heat changes our cities](https://bertmartinez.com/how-extreme-heat-changes-our-cities/) - July’s record-breaking heat is overtaxing power grids and pushing cooling systems to the brink of failure. But high temperatures are also taking a tollon other forms of infrastructure, including bridges, train tracks and roads, which are melting, cracking — and literally bumping up fuel consumption and vehicle-maintenance costs in turn. “Most of our existing infrastructure
- [OpenAI CEO's new project: Worldcoin](https://bertmartinez.com/openai-ceos-new-project-worldcoin/) - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has pushed forward with Monday's international launch of his cryptocurrency project, dubbed Worldcoin, despite regulatory tensions in the U.S. The digital asset's centerpiece is a "digital passport" called a World ID that confirms a crypto holder's identity through an in-person eye scan with a Worldcoin "orb." Worldcoin already has 2 million
- [Wealth key for college entry: Study](https://bertmartinez.com/wealth-key-for-college-entry-study/) - Wealth may be a powerful qualification for admission to the country's top colleges, according to a new study from Harvard-based economists who focus on inequality. Among students with the same SAT or ACT scores who apply to Ivy League schools (and also Stanford, Duke, M.I.T. and the University of Chicago), those whose families are in
- [Most of US missing out on AI boom](https://bertmartinez.com/most-of-us-missing-out-on-ai-boom/) - AI jobs are increasingly concentrated in select pockets of the U.S, with San Francisco leading the way. Job searchers will find 60% of new generative AI openings in 15 metros, according to a new Brookings Institution report. Nearly half of the generative AI jobs posted over the past year were clustered in San Francisco;
- [C-suite base salaries take a hit](https://bertmartinez.com/c-suite-base-salaries-take-a-hit/) - Some companies are taking a page from their pandemic-era playbooks when it comes to executive compensation. C-suite leaders at Zoom, Intel, and Micron are among the top execs who have announced an uncommon move — that they will take cuts to their base salaries in solidarity with their employees, reports The Wall Street Journal. "Executives
- [The numbers to watch this week](https://bertmartinez.com/the-numbers-to-watch-this-week-2/) - The Federal Reserve will set interest rates Wednesday, with economists predicting one more move higher in its fight against inflation. All 106 economists surveyed by Reuters between July 13 and 18 expect the central bank to raise the target range for its benchmark rate by 25 basis points, to between 5.25% to 5.50%. A majority
- [US policy charges EV battery race](https://bertmartinez.com/us-policy-charges-ev-battery-race/) - The Inflation Reduction Act could supercharge the race to recycle electric vehicle batteries. Under the law, battery materials reclaimed in the U.S. can qualify automakers for EV production incentives. Factory building is now experiencing a boom since some of the minerals in the batteries — lithium, cobalt and nickel — can make them worth
- [Spotify sets first US price hike](https://bertmartinez.com/spotify-sets-first-us-price-hike/) - Spotify will set the first price hike for its individual premium subscription since its U.S. launch 12 years ago, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing anonymous sources. The $1 increase, which is expected to be this week, would boost the monthly cost from $9.99 to $10.99. The decision comes as the music streamer looks to
- [American offers $9B to pilots union](https://bertmartinez.com/american-offers-9b-to-pilots-union/) - American Airlines is raising its latest contract offer to its pilot union to $9 billion. The increase, more than a billion dollars, is comparable to the tentative deal United Airlines struck with its pilots last week, which would raise pay by up to 40% over four years. In American's case, the deal includes a 21%
- [Gender pay gap at record low](https://bertmartinez.com/gender-pay-gap-at-record-low/) - The gender pay gap still exists, with women who work full time earning just 84% of what comparably employed men are paid. However, the pay gap is shrinking — and to its narrowest point on record since tracking commenced in 1979. Though some of this is cumulative progress, the pandemic may also have contributed by
- [VCs to blame for 'predatory pricing'?](https://bertmartinez.com/vcs-to-blame-for-predatory-pricing/) - Tech companies like Amazon and Uber have been known to subsidize their products to fend off competition when entering the market. But a new paper by two law professors argues that it's not the companies — but the VC firms seeding their growth that must be held accountable. VCs profit from so-called "predatory pricing"
- [Amazon bets big on satellite biz](https://bertmartinez.com/amazon-bets-big-on-satellite-biz/) - Amazon has announced a significant investment in Project Kuiper, its nascent satellite internet business that's poised to compete with Starlink, a division of Elon Musk's SpaceX. The e-commerce giant will pour $120 million into a satellite inspection and preparation facility at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, a project it hopes to complete by the end of
- [UPS strike would boost inflation](https://bertmartinez.com/ups-strike-would-boost-inflation/) - Two key challenges to the health of the U.S. economy could intensify if 340,000 UPS workers walk off the job. The annual rate of inflation, which the Federal Reserve has been battling to lower, could rise by 0.2% as a result, according to Bloomberg. In addition, a strike could cause or exacerbate supply chain disruptions.
- [Miami to protect workers from heat](https://bertmartinez.com/miami-to-protect-workers-from-heat/) - Officials in Miami-Dade County have given preliminary approval this week to safety measures meant to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat. More than 300,000 laborers in construction and agriculture would be required to take a 10-minute break in the shade every two hours, and employers would have to provide drinking water and training for treating
- [Workers doubt they can retire: Poll](https://bertmartinez.com/workers-doubt-they-can-retire-poll/) - One in five Americans doesn't think they will ever retire, while only half feel like they can save for the future, per a new Axios-Ipsos poll. Just over a third of people nearing "typical" retirement age — 55 and over — believe they'll be able to retire when they expected to. While most workers say
- [Carvana getting back on track?](https://bertmartinez.com/carvana-getting-back-on-track/) - After a bumpy year that included layoffs and financial losses, Carvana now appears to be on firmer ground. Shares of the online used-car retailer soared Wednesday on the announcement that a new agreement with creditors will reduce its debt load by $1.2 billion. The cash-strapped company also filed to sell $1 billion in stock. Despite
- [Goldman earnings take big hit](https://bertmartinez.com/goldman-earnings-take-big-hit/) - Goldman Sachs announced Wednesday that its second-quarter earnings came in below analysts' projections — at $3.08 a share versus an estimated $3.18. The recent quarter, which saw a 58% profit drop, is one of the weakest yet under CEO David Solomon, who took the reins in 2018. Goldman's return on equity was the worst among
- [US unveils tech antitrust push](https://bertmartinez.com/us-unveils-tech-antitrust-push/) - Antitrust officials have released guidelines that, for the first time, focus on “digital platforms and how dominant companies can use their scale to harm future rivals,” writes The New York Times. Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department drafted the directives, which steer regulators in decisions on proposed mergers and acquisitions. The guidelines
- [MSFT, Activision push deal deadline](https://bertmartinez.com/msft-activision-push-deal-deadline/) - Activision has agreed to give Microsoft three more months to finalize details of their planned $69 billion merger. The agreement to push the original July 18 deadline to Oct. 18 also raises the breakup fee that Microsoft needs to pay Activision if the deal is terminated after Aug. 29 to $3.5 billion, from $3 billion,
- [Threads cracks down on spam](https://bertmartinez.com/threads-cracks-down-on-spam/) - New social media giant Threads is following rival Twitter in introducing rate limits, with Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri citing a growing number of spam attacks. Twitter received significant backlash for limiting post views earlier this month amid an extended outage. Meta's new social media app Threads reached 100 million users last week, faster than
- [Startups suffer as banks soldier on](https://bertmartinez.com/startups-suffer-as-banks-soldier-on/) - Most bank stocks, including an index of regional financial institutions, rose early Tuesday as second-quarter earnings keep showing unexpected resilience. Tech giants — Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, LinkedIn parent Microsoft and others — are also holding strong, CNN notes. But, in the meantime, startups are getting hammered: Over the first six months of 2023, venture capital
- [AT&T shares plunge to 3-decade low](https://bertmartinez.com/att-shares-plunge-to-3-decade-low/) - AT&T’s shares fell to their lowest price in 30 years, a week after a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed it is one of several telecom companies that have left behind more than 2,000 toxic lead cables across the U.S. On Monday, AT&T's stock dropped by 6.7% to $13.53 a share for the first time since
- [Big banks upbeat on US economy](https://bertmartinez.com/big-banks-upbeat-on-us-economy/) - Bank of America's second-quarter earnings were up 19% over last year's, the company reported Tuesday, adding to a stream of better-than-forecast results from large U.S. lenders. Revenue also saw double-digit growth to $25.2 billion. “We continue to see a healthy U.S. economy that is growing at a slower pace, with a resilient job market,” said
- [Secrets To Creating an Indispensable Brand with Deb Gabor](https://bertmartinez.com/secrets-to-creating-an-indispensable-brand-with-deb-gabor/) - #BertMartinez Deb Gabor and her team at Sol Marketing have introduced her revolutionary brand strategy for branding your business from international household names like Allrecipes, The Associated Press, Dell, Microsoft, NBC Universal, NPR, NTT Data, and Siemens, to exciting emerging brands like hint water and Indagare. "Leading Expert" doesn't come close to describing Deb Gabor's
- [Are You A Good Leader?](https://bertmartinez.com/are-you-a-good-leader/) - Jenn Donahue is a leadership coach, engineer, entrepreneur, and the founder of JL Donahue Engineering. Visit for more information https://www.jenndonahue.com/ ➡️ Connect with Jenn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenndonah... https://twitter.com/JennDonahue https://www.instagram.com/iamjenndona... About Bert Martinez: Bert Martinez is a successful entrepreneur and best-selling author. Bert is fascinated by business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Bert is also obsessed with exploring the mindset of
- [The Secrets to Scaling Your Business Fast with Bill Walsh" on YouTube](https://bertmartinez.com/the-secrets-to-scaling-your-business-fast-with-bill-walsh-on-youtube/) -  #ScalingYourBusiness #BertMartinez The Secrets to Scaling Your Business Fast with Bill Walsh. Bill Walsh, is a venture capitalist and is the CEO/Founder of the Success Education/Business Coaching & Speaker Training firm Powerteam International. Ranked by GURU magazine as one of the top 30 business coaches, his passion is to empower entrepreneurs and business owners
- [Buses get lift from flight hassles](https://bertmartinez.com/buses-get-lift-from-flight-hassles/) - Flight and airport hassles are boosting the appeal of travel by bus. While air travel in the U.S. rose 11% over the recent Fourth of July weekend, ridership on Greyhound and FlixBus (both owned by Flix North America) soared by 63% from a year earlier. And it’s more than a backup plan: Travelers are opting
- [Ford cutting electric pickup prices](https://bertmartinez.com/ford-cutting-electric-pickup-prices/) - Ford’s F-150 Lightning truck is getting closer to being within reach of electric pickup shoppers. The automaker announced Monday that lower battery mineral costs and increased production means the entry-level Pro trim gets a nearly $10,000 price cutto about $50,000. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim gets a $6,000 reduction to about $92,000. After a series of
- [Bank balances higher post-pandemic](https://bertmartinez.com/bank-balances-higher-post-pandemic/) - Americans have 10% to 15% more in the bank than they did pre-pandemic, says a new survey of millions of Chase customer accounts. But that may not last long: Households are quickly spending the extra money they'd saved during the pandemic. Median account balances are the lowest they've been in about three years, and down
- [ER docs challenge private equity](https://bertmartinez.com/er-docs-challenge-private-equity/) - Private equity investment in physician practices has exploded — and so has opposition. The American College of Emergency Physicians last week strengthened its stance on non-physician ownership of medical practices to oppose “any practice structure that threatens physician autonomy.” And in Detroit, emergency medicine clinicians employed by private equity-backed TeamHealth have voted to unionize. In
- [Twitter cash flow remains negative](https://bertmartinez.com/twitter-cash-flow-remains-negative/) - Twitter owner Elon Musk revealed on Saturday that the platform still has a negative cash flow after a 50% decline in advertising revenue and a "heavy debt load." Advertisers left the platform when Musk took over last year, but he said in April that "almost all of them" had returned or were planning to come
- [United pilots land new pay deal](https://bertmartinez.com/united-pilots-land-new-pay-deal/) - United Airlines and its pilots reached a new agreement that will boost pay over the next four years. Pilots will be able to receive anywhere from 34.5 to 40.2% in pay raises depending on what kind of aircraft they operate. The deal, which has been described as "historic" and comes after months of negotiations, is
- [Major films in production including the Avatar and Gladiator sequels are looking likely to be affected by Hollywood actors taking strike action.](https://bertmartinez.com/major-films-in-production-including-the-avatar-and-gladiator-sequels-are-looking-likely-to-be-affected-by-hollywood-actors-taking-strike-action/) - SAG strike: Avatar and Gladiator sequels look set to be hit as actors walk out Major films in production including the Avatar and Gladiator sequels are looking likely to be affected by Hollywood actors taking strike action. Promotional events such as red-carpet premieres will also be affected, such as Disney film Haunted Mansion, released
- [Tax breaks for your office space?](https://bertmartinez.com/tax-breaks-for-your-office-space/) - Boston landlords will soon be able to trade empty office buildings for tax breaks. As the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Beantown hits $2,800, the city is tackling its escalating housing affordability crisis with a program aimed at converting commercial space into residential. Mayor Michelle Wu is offering discounts discounts upwards of 75%
- [Is crypto poised for a comeback?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-crypto-poised-for-a-comeback/) - The crypto market notched some wins this week, including Ripple's landmark victory Thursday when a federal judge ruled the cryptocurrency exchange didn't violate the law by selling its XRP token on public exchanges. Reuters called the result the "first win" for a cryptocurrency company sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. To Coinbase, which
- [UK extends time for MSFT-Activision](https://bertmartinez.com/uk-extends-time-for-msft-activision/) - The U.K. will extend a deadline to review Microsoft's acquisition of gaming firm Activision by six weeks. Following an “unprecedented reconsideration” earlier in the week by the regulators, who had initially blocked the deal in May, the extension gives extra time to review proposals by both parties involved. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission filed to
- [Gig workers' pay hike skids to halt](https://bertmartinez.com/gig-workers-pay-hike-skids-to-halt/) - A minimum wage hike for about 60,000 food delivery drivers in NYC, set to go into effect this week, was put on hold when a judge ruled in favor of Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub, which had sued to stop the raise. The companies argued that the new rate — $17.96 an hour — would raise
- [Consumer sentiment rises sharply](https://bertmartinez.com/consumer-sentiment-rises-sharply/) - Americans are losing their inflation jitters, driving a gauge of consumer sentiment to its most bullish level since September 2021. The University of Michigan’s preliminary index for July shot up by 8.2 points, to 72.6. While that’s below pre-pandemic levels, the index climbed even as expectations for near-term inflation ticked up to an annual 3.4%,
- [FTC probes ChatGPT over false info](https://bertmartinez.com/ftc-probes-chatgpt-over-false-info/) - ChatGPT may have engaged in “unfair or deceptive practices,” according to a new investigation from the Federal Trade Commission into the popular AI chatbot’s creator OpenAI. The agency says it will determine whether ChatGPT has harmed people's reputations through false misleading outputs, The Washington Post writes. This investigation is among the FTC’s first forays
- [Google's chatbot now multilingual](https://bertmartinez.com/googles-chatbot-now-multilingual/) - Google is adding a number of new features to Bard, in what it's calling the AI chatbot's largest expansion yet, further heating up competition in the generative AI space. Users can now upload images and get a description of what the chatbot sees, adjust the tone of responses they receive and also have audio responses
- [Prime Day sales total $12.7 billion](https://bertmartinez.com/prime-day-sales-total-12-7-billion/) - Amazon said Tuesday — the first of its two Prime Days — was the “single largest sales day in company history.” It was also the biggest e-commerce day yet of 2023. The e-commerce giant did not release sales figures, but Adobe Analytics estimated that Prime shoppers spent $12.7 billion over both days. While that’s an
- [Exxon pours $4.9B into carbon deal](https://bertmartinez.com/exxon-pours-4-9b-into-carbon-deal/) - Exxon Mobil is acquiring pipeline operator Denbury in a $4.9 billion deal, a move that cements the oil giant's presence in the carbon-capture market. Texas-based Denbury oversees 1,300 miles of carbon dioxide pipelines on and near the Gulf Coast that will give Exxon "critical and hard-to-replicate infrastructure" as it pours $17 billion into low-carbon initiatives
- [Shopify puts price tags on meetings](https://bertmartinez.com/shopify-puts-price-tags-on-meetings/) - After limiting time spent in meetings earlier this year, Shopify is taking its war against meetings to a new level with a cost calculator. The internal tool uses compensation data, meeting length and attendee count to calculate the price of meetings, which can run as high as $1,600 for a 30-minute call. Chief Operating Officer
- [Disney CEO Bob Iger extends tenure](https://bertmartinez.com/disney-ceo-bob-iger-extends-tenure/) - CEO Bob Iger won't be leaving The Walt Disney Company as soon as he'd initially planned. Iger, who also led Disney from 2005 through 2020, returned to his old post in November and was originally slated to stay through 2024 as he prepared a successor. Now he'll head the entertainment giant through 2026, "allowing ample
- [Mexico passes China in US trade](https://bertmartinez.com/mexico-passes-china-in-us-trade/) - After nearly a decade, China is no longer the United States’ top trading partner. That title now goes to Mexico, with Canada right behind it. China’s getting bumped from the top two spots can be traced to the Trump administration’s 2018 import tariffs, which remain in place today; pandemic supply chain problems also played
- [EU approves Broadcom, VMware deal](https://bertmartinez.com/eu-approves-broadcom-vmware-deal/) - Broadcom has cleared a major hurdle in its $61 billion bid to acquire cloud computing company VMware with EU anti-trust approval. The green light comes after the U.S. chip-maker addressed competition concerns by helping rival Marvell Technology produce Fibre Channel Host-Bus Adapters, — a big market for Broadcom. VMware and Broadcom shares were up in
- [Prime Day faces new rivals](https://bertmartinez.com/prime-day-faces-new-rivals/) - While shoppers are scouring for deals, analysts are watching whether Amazon's annual Prime Day sale on Tuesday and Wednesday can bring “momentum” to its slowing e-commerce business. As Prime Day has grown — from 34 million items sold during the inaugural 2015 event to 300 million last year — so has its competition. Rivals Target
- [Home prices hit new heights](https://bertmartinez.com/home-prices-hit-new-heights/) - The cost of buying a home reached record levels in May, rising 0.7% from April, CNBC reports. According to a new home price index from analytics firm Black Knight, prices in more than half of the country's biggest housing markets have returned to or surpassed previous peaks — despite the fact that mortgage rates
- [Google loses another key AR leader](https://bertmartinez.com/google-loses-another-key-ar-leader/) - A noted leader in Google's work on augmented reality has left the tech giant after about 18 months. Mark Lucovsky had been tapped in part to work on the software behind Google's Iris smart glasses, but that project was shelved in June, Insider reports. Lucovsky's departure follows that of Clay Bavor, Google's lead on AR
- [Hollywood risks a second strike](https://bertmartinez.com/hollywood-risks-a-second-strike/) - Major studios have until midnight Wednesday to reach a deal with the SAG-AFTRA actors union before Hollywood comes to a halt. Otherwise, actors could join screenwriters on strike — the first time they'd both be on the picket lines at the same time in 63 years — if they're unable to reach an agreement over
- [Biz schools lag in climate fight](https://bertmartinez.com/biz-schools-lag-in-climate-fight/) - Business schools are falling short in the fight against climate change, according to a Financial Times special report. While sustainability research is largely driven by environmental science and engineering faculties, business schools lag behind. The report highlights that sustainability remains a token subject for many schools, with much of the produced work being theoretical
- [Evernote app lays off most US staff](https://bertmartinez.com/evernote-app-lays-off-most-us-staff/) - Note-taking app Evernote has laid off nearly all of its workers in the U.S. and Chile, with plans to move almost all operations to Europe, SFGate reports. The news comes five months after the company, once considered the "king of note-taking apps," laid off 129 employees. A spokesperson told TechCrunch in February it was because
- [Stamp prices increase again](https://bertmartinez.com/stamp-prices-increase-again/) - Get ready to shell out a few more cents to send a letter. On Sunday, the U.S. Postal Service increased the price of a stamp to 66 cents, up from 63 cents. With inflation contributing to rising costs for the agency, it's the second time stamp prices have gone up this year, and the third
- [Summer internships aren't the same](https://bertmartinez.com/summer-internships-arent-the-same/) - Hybrid work is reshaping the summer internship experience, according to a Financial Times report. On the one hand, it's making it harder for many interns to impress employers and establish meaningful connections, leaving some young professionals feeling lonely and disconnected from their jobs. But remote work has also brought opportunities for many: virtual internships seem
- ['Forever chemicals' invade tap water](https://bertmartinez.com/forever-chemicals-invade-tap-water/) - A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 45% of U.S. tap water includes "forever chemicals." Also known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substance, they're used in everyday products such as fast-food containers, dental floss and shampoo because of their oil-proof, waterproof, heat-resistant and stain-resistant properties. However, they've also been linked
- [Mortgage rates hit new high for year](https://bertmartinez.com/mortgage-rates-hit-new-high-for-year/) - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit 6.81% this week, a new high for the year and a 1.5% leap from a year ago, according to Freddie Mac. Consistently high mortgage rates are another consequence of persistent inflation, experts tell CNN. The high rates are also keeping a lid on the real-estate market as would-be
- [Binance loses key execs](https://bertmartinez.com/binance-loses-key-execs/) - Binance's chief strategy officer, general counsel and a compliance official have left the company as it faces probes in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. Crypto's biggest exchange is grappling with "a management and strategic crisis," per Fortune, just as it sits at the center of a push by regulators to increase oversight of the
- [US hiring cooled in June](https://bertmartinez.com/us-hiring-cooled-in-june/) - The U.S. economy added 209,000 jobs in June, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday, below a forecasted 230,000. Unemployment fell to 3.6%. While the labor market has now added jobs for 30 consecutive months, June's figure is the lowest monthly gain since a decline in December 2020. It comes after data Thursday showed a
- [VC funding dries up for startups](https://bertmartinez.com/vc-funding-dries-up-for-startups/) - Venture capital funding supported fewer startups in the U.S. last quarter, according to new data from PitchBook. Investors backed about 3,000 deals over that period — down about a third from a year earlier — and spent $39.8 billion, down by nearly half. The biggest drop was in angel or seed deals for companies in
- [Amazon sellers navigate suspensions](https://bertmartinez.com/amazon-sellers-navigate-suspensions/) - Amazon recently suspended dozens of accounts for allegedly selling stolen goods from homeware brands such as Keurig, SharkNinja and Breville, CNBC reports. However, the sellers claim Amazon did not inform them which of their products were labeled as stolen, so they can't resolve the suspension. Amazon is able to immediately deactivate accounts believed to be
- [Tech layoffs hardest on women](https://bertmartinez.com/tech-layoffs-hardest-on-women/) - Tech has long been a male-dominated industry, but its headline-grabbing layoffs have been a bigger problem for women. Around 45% of tech workers who lost their jobs starting in October 2022 were women, Axios reports, citing an analysis by Layoffs.fyi — yet, women make up only about a third of the tech workforce. A driving
- [Striking hotel workers back on job](https://bertmartinez.com/striking-hotel-workers-back-on-job/) - Thousands of Los Angeles hotel workers who joined picket lines early this week returned to work on Wednesday without a new deal. Housekeepers, dishwashers and other hospitality workers have been seeking a pay increase of $5 an hour, double what hotel owners are offering, to keep pace with the region's high cost of living. A
- [Shein in IPO talks: Reuters](https://bertmartinez.com/shein-in-ipo-talks-reuters/) - Despite denying reports last week of an imminent IPO, Chinese e-commerce giant Shein has plans to go public, reports Reuters, citing anonymous sources. Shein, which was recently valued at over $60 billion, is said to be in talks with the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, with the help of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and
- [Exxon’s Meager Bonuses Make Attracting More Traders Difficult: Bloomberg](https://bertmartinez.com/exxon-pay-hinders-hiring-bloomberg/) - , Source: Company filings (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp.’s ambitious expansion in trading is running into a thorny issue: whether or not to pay traders millions of dollars in performance-related bonuses. The Texas oil giant is hiring traders and support staff for its new global trading division, but doesn’t currently pay the large cash bonuses
- [Record fine set to hit Illumina](https://bertmartinez.com/record-fine-set-to-hit-illumina/) - The EU will charge gene-sequencing giant Illumina with a record fine, according to the Financial Times. The expected penalty of $435 million, or 10% of the company's revenue, comes after San Diego-based Illumina bought Silicon Valley cancer screening startup Grail for $8 billion before the European Commission concluded an investigation into whether the deal was
- [Californians chase savings in Texas](https://bertmartinez.com/californians-chase-savings-in-texas/) - One thing that's not bigger in Texas: the cost of living for Californians. Yawning gaps between the states' home buying costs and rental prices are helping drive Californians to Texas by the thousands each month, USA Today notes. Houses cost an average of $282,000 less in Texas than in California, while lower utility costs and
- [Meta Threads: Instagram owner to launch Twitter alternative](https://bertmartinez.com/meta-threads-instagram-owner-to-launch-twitter-alternative/) - July 3 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms (META.O) plans to launch a Twitter-rivalling microblogging app called Threads, days after Twitter boss Elon Musk attracted criticism by announcing a temporary cap on how many posts users can read on the social media site. Threads is expected to be released on Thursday and will allow users to retain followers from
- [Inflation Fuels Spending on Independence Day Cookouts](https://bertmartinez.com/inflation-fuels-spending-on-independence-day-cookouts/) - What are your holiday weekend plans? 🎇 According to the National Retail Federation, 87% of #consumers plan to celebrate the Fourth of July in 2023 and spend an average of $93.34 on #food items, up from $84.12 in 2022. Total Independence Day #spending is expected to reach $9.5 billion in 2023, up from $7.7 billion in 2022. Fourth of July 2023 Eighty-seven
- [UN warns about El Niño risks](https://bertmartinez.com/un-warns-about-el-nino-risks/) - The United Nations’ weather agency is warning governments to prepare for record-breaking heat now that El Niño, a naturally occurring weather phenomenon that warms sea surface temperatures, has officially begun. The World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday that the event, which happens on average every two to seven years, “impacts on our health, our ecosystems and
- [UBS bets on wealthy Americans](https://bertmartinez.com/ubs-bets-on-wealthy-americans/) - UBS is courting talent for its wealth management division in a bet on high-net-worth U.S. clients, reports Reuters. The hiring push comes even as the bank contemplates letting go of 30% of its global workforce after its Credit Suisse takeover. UBS has hired 50 financial advisers, many from U.S. banks, which dominate the world’s largest
- [Inflation won't dampen July 4](https://bertmartinez.com/inflation-wont-dampen-july-4/) - Americans will be spending an average of $93.34 per person on food items for Fourth of July cookouts, barbecues and picnics this year, says Axios, citing a National Retail Federation survey. That's a roughly 10% increase from last year, where consumers spent an average of $84.12. Yet, high prices aren't stopping any celebrations: Around 87%
- [UPS, Teamsters make tentative deal](https://bertmartinez.com/ups-teamsters-make-tentative-deal/) - Chances of a nationwide UPS strike have decreased after United Parcel Service reached a tentative deal with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters over the weekend. The shipping giant has been negotiating a new contract with the union, which represents 340,000 UPS workers, or risk a strike by Aug.1. Talks are set to continue Sunday in
- [The numbers to watch this week](https://bertmartinez.com/the-numbers-to-watch-this-week/) - Attention shifts to the labor market this week, with the U.S. releasing its employment report for June. The economy is expected to have added a robust 339,000 jobs in the month, according to a MarketWatch survey. Persistent buoyancy in the market and the upward pressure on wages it creates have played a key role
- ['Underrated skill' a key to success](https://bertmartinez.com/underrated-skill-a-key-to-success/) - Looking to stand out in your job? While it's great to have self-confidence and be well-organized, there's actually an "underrated skill" that can help set you apart even more. One neuroscientist tells CNBC Make It that mastering self-awareness can give you a leg up in the workplace, and she defines it as "reflecting on your
- [More EVs could impact power grids](https://bertmartinez.com/more-evs-could-impact-power-grids/) - As the electric vehicle industry continues growing, the U.S. power grid may not be able to sustain an increase in electricity demand, CNBC reports. The power grid would have to undergo major changes in order to avoid becoming so strained it couldn't handle severe weather and blackouts. But doing so comes with some hurdles: Building
- [United CEO's private jet apology](https://bertmartinez.com/united-ceos-private-jet-apology/) - United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has apologized for taking a private jet from New Jersey to Denver on Wednesday amid flight cancellations and delays because of severe weather this week. In a letter on Friday, Kirby said his actions were "insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home." He also vowed to improve
- [Spotify may add music videos to app](https://bertmartinez.com/spotify-may-add-music-videos-to-app/) - Spotify is in talks to feature full-length music videos on the platform, anonymous sources told Bloomberg. The potential move could help Spotify compete with YouTube and TikTok as it's already incorporating visuals into the app with video podcasts and a new "clips" feature where artists can communicate something about their work in less than 30
- [Apple closes above $3T in a first](https://bertmartinez.com/apple-closes-above-3t-in-a-first/) - Apple on Friday became the first company with a market value that closed above $3 trillion. The tech giant previously grazed the milestone during intraday trading in January 2022, but then closed shy of the mark. Apple shares have risen roughly 47% so far this year — adding about $940 billion in value. The tech
- [ESPN lays off some 20 on-air stars](https://bertmartinez.com/espn-lays-off-some-20-on-air-stars/) - Disney-owned ESPN has made deep cuts to its on-air roster, laying off roughly 20 hosts and analysts, as the entertainment giant keeps trimming costs. Among those involved in the staff reduction are former NBA coach-turned-analyst Jeff Van Gundy and ex-NBA star Jalen Rose. In a statement, ESPN said it was "necessary to identify some additional
- [Inflation gauge shows surprise drop](https://bertmartinez.com/inflation-gauge-shows-surprise-drop/) - A key measure of inflation dropped unexpectedly in May, suggesting successive interest-rate increases by the Federal Reserve are working to slow the rapid rise in consumer prices since last year. The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Fed’s favored price gauge, unexpectedly fell to 3.8% last month — the smallest advance in more than two
- [Fourth of July gas prices drop](https://bertmartinez.com/fourth-of-july-gas-prices-drop/) - Your Fourth of July road trip could be a lot cheaper this year. The average price of gas in the U.S. fell to $3.55 on Thursday, more than a dollar less than last summer’s high of $4.87, CNN reports. This “almost unprecedented” drop means drivers will save an average of $20 on each tank compared
- [Unemployment rate losing influence](https://bertmartinez.com/unemployment-rate-losing-influence/) - New research may explain America's boom and gloom. Though low unemployment and positive consumer sentiment were closely linked for decades, public opinion bucked that trend last year as record-low joblessness did little to boost Americans' perceptions of the economy. That's because consumer sentiment now appears to be tracking real wage growth rather than the unemployment
- [Snapchat+ captures over 4M users](https://bertmartinez.com/snapchat-captures-over-4m-users/) - Snap has racked up more than 4 million subscribers to Snapchat+, its premium paid service, one year into its rollout. Subscribers get exclusive early-access perks, including Snapchat for Web and its AI powered chatbot, My AI. Other social platforms are trying to monetize premium features by offering subscriptions, with Twitter Blue and Meta Verified launching
- [Millions see extreme weather alerts](https://bertmartinez.com/millions-see-extreme-weather-alerts/) - New York City was hit by a "potentially less severe" smog early Thursday from the Canadian wildfires than it was about three weeks ago, when the city's skies turned a dark orange haze. The city's air quality index was at a moderate 83, however, Pittsburgh and Chicago were experiencing very unhealthy air quality, according to
- [SCOTUS bars affirmative action](https://bertmartinez.com/scotus-bars-affirmative-action/) - The Supreme Court has ruled against the use of race as a factor in higher education admissions. The 6-3 decision will force colleges to scrap affirmative action policies designed to increase minority representation on campus. Schools must now "decide where racial diversity ranks among priorities that can include academic performance, achievement in extracurricular activities ...
- [Can 'one-seat commute' boost RTO?](https://bertmartinez.com/can-one-seat-commute-boost-rto/) - A New York City real estate firm hopes to entice RTO with the promise of a simplified commute, AKA the "one-seat commute," in that it only requires one mode of transport to get workers to their offices. Vornado Realty Trust is spending $1.2 billion to revamp two buildings that are within walking distance of Penn
- [US may tighten AI chip export rules](https://bertmartinez.com/us-may-tighten-ai-chip-export-rules/) - As artificial intelligence becomes ever more powerful, the U.S. is weighing whether to further restrict the export of AI chips to China and "other countries of concern," The Wall Street Journal reports, citing anonymous sources. New regulations could target AI chips that aren't as powerful as the ones already subject to Commerce Department rules requiring
- [Virgin Galactic starts spaceflights](https://bertmartinez.com/virgin-galactic-starts-spaceflights/) - Virgin Galactic will launch its first commercial spaceflight, dubbed Galactic 01, on Thursday, five weeks after passing its final test with flying colors. A three-person crew from Italy will join three Virgin Galactic crew members aboard the VSS Unity for a suborbital journey to the edge of space, where they will conduct microgravity research. Though
- [Costco cracks down on card sharing](https://bertmartinez.com/costco-cracks-down-on-card-sharing/) - Costco is taking a page out of Netflix's playbook by clamping down on membership sharing at self-checkouts. Shoppers are already asked to show their cards when they enter and pay at regular checkouts, but now they may be asked to flash their membership credentials and a photo at self-checkouts. Costco says membership sharing isn’t fair
- [Home prices fall in 11-year first](https://bertmartinez.com/home-prices-fall-in-11-year-first/) - Home prices fell from a year ago for the first time since 2012, a sign that rising interest rates have begun to weigh on the market. Prices declined 0.2% nationally in April after rising 0.7% in March, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. The first annual decrease in exactly 11 years
- [Reddit protests curb Google search](https://bertmartinez.com/reddit-protests-curb-google-search/) - Discontent at Reddit is spilling over to Google by stifling a longtime search hack. Google users who tack "Reddit" onto search queries — an effort to surface results from Reddit's vast discussion forums — are coming up short after Reddit moderators took many forums private in a protest of changes to the platform. Prabhakar Raghavan,
- [Judge upholds charges against SBF](https://bertmartinez.com/judge-upholds-charges-against-sbf/) - A criminal trial is next for Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. A federal judge denied Bankman-Fried's bid Tuesday to have nearly all of the criminal charges against him thrown out, the Financial Times reports, which sets the stage for the 31-year-old entrepreneur's trial Oct. 2. Charges against him include allegations of
- [Developers flock to TX 'boomtown'](https://bertmartinez.com/developers-flock-to-tx-boomtown/) - Fort Worth, Texas, is not only welcoming an influx of East and West Coasters in search of more affordable housing, but it holds a unique appeal for businesses too, The Wall Street Journal reports. While other downtowns in the state and nationwide are struggling with office vacancies, the "fastest-growing major city" in America saw its
- [Amazon seeks small biz for delivery](https://bertmartinez.com/amazon-seeks-small-biz-for-delivery/) - Amazon is signing up small businesses as partners in its delivery business. Seeking new ways to get products to customers, the e-commerce giant will enlist a variety of businesses, from florists to coffee shops to help drop off packages. It wants to sign up 2,500 businesses in 23 states this year to deliver about 30
- [Doctors face surge in cyberbullying](https://bertmartinez.com/doctors-face-surge-in-cyberbullying/) - The COVID-19 pandemic wore down physicians in many ways, but perhaps one of the more under-reported has been the spike in harassment they experienced online. Two-thirds of physicians reported online harassment in a study this month in JAMA Network Open. Doctors who posted public health information — particularly about vaccination — were particularly likely to
- [Ryan Reynolds buys piece of F1 team](https://bertmartinez.com/ryan-reynolds-buys-piece-of-f1-team/) - Actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Michael B. Jordan now own a piece of Formula One racing team Alpine, a move that comes less than three years after Reynolds and McElhenney’s much-discussed purchase of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham. RedBird Capital Partners – owner of baseball’s Boston Red Sox, soccer’s Liverpool and Toulouse, as well
- ['90s toy Furby returns to shelves](https://bertmartinez.com/90s-toy-furby-returns-to-shelves/) - Iconic — and terrifying to some — ‘90s toy Furby is coming back with a new look. The last Furbys were sold in 2016, and this current iteration coincides with its 25th anniversary, when it became a phenomenon and sold more than 40 million units worldwide within 3 years. The updated toy has features like
- [Rent prices dropping in US](https://bertmartinez.com/rent-prices-dropping-in-us/) - For the first time in three years, U.S. rent prices have taken a dip, in large part due to cooling inflation and a steadier job market, according to a new Realtor.com report. May's median rent was $1,739, a $3 increase from April, but an overall 0.5% decrease compared to May 2022. Rent is expected to
- [Store brand item sales are up](https://bertmartinez.com/store-brand-item-sales-are-up/) - Many consumers ditched private label products at the grocery store in favor of name brands amid the pandemic and supply chain challenges, but with inflation keeping people cost-conscious, they’re now opting for store brand items. In May, private label purchases made up 18.7% of sales, according to data from NielsenIQ, up from what it was
- [Directors approve union contract](https://bertmartinez.com/directors-approve-union-contract/) - The Directors Guild of America has officially passed a new 3-year contract with streamers and Hollywood studios after a tentative agreement was settled earlier this month, Variety reports. The new deal, which 87% of members voted in favor of and has been described as a "record turnout" for a ratification vote, includes boosted wages, increased
- [Why fashion resale isn't working](https://bertmartinez.com/why-fashion-resale-isnt-working/) - Fashion has a sustainability problem. Fashion resale — one way brands aim to address sustainability concerns, by taking back past-season items and reselling them — has a profit problem. Resale programs generate, at most, 5% of a brand's revenue, Bloomberg reports. Fast fashion retailer Shein, which has little room to lower prices on used merchandise,
- [Pride decor behind Starbucks strike](https://bertmartinez.com/pride-decor-behind-starbucks-strike/) - Starbucks workers at 150 locations are set to strike "over the course of the next week," according to their union, Starbucks Workers United. At issue: a dispute over Pride decor, which the union says the company took down at several shops earlier this month. Starbucks denies the claim, saying its policy — that stores are
- [Qatar seeks slice of NBA, NHL teams](https://bertmartinez.com/qatar-seeks-slice-of-nba-nhl-teams/) - Although blockbuster international sports conferences such as England’s Premier League have long been the target of foreign investors, North American leagues like the NBA, NFL and NHL have remained in the hands of local interests. But that may be about to change. Following the lead of the Saudis and LIV Golf, Qatar is hoping to
- [I-95 reopens after deadly collapse](https://bertmartinez.com/i-95-reopens-after-deadly-collapse/) - What was expected to be a messy, monthslong process of rebuilding one of the busiest roadways in the Northeast is instead being hailed as an impressive infrastructure flex. Just 12 days after a deadly tanker fire near Philadelphia took down an overpass and caused several elevated lanes of Interstate 95 to collapse, the highway reopened
- [Key TikTok executive steps down](https://bertmartinez.com/key-tiktok-executive-steps-down/) - TikTok is losing one of its most prominent leaders. Chief Operating Officer V Pappas is resigning from the social media firm, an internal memo Pappas posted on LinkedInconfirms. The YouTube veteran, who is nonbinary, says they will "refocus on my entrepreneurial passions" now that TikTok has become a household name. Pappas was one of TikTok's
- [SCOTUS ruling could change DEI](https://bertmartinez.com/scotus-ruling-could-change-dei/) - A Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions policies may affect companies' hiring and promotion decisions — and also their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, The Wall Street Journal reports. A decision in cases involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina — expected by the end of the month — won’t pertain directly to
- [Ford gets $9.2B for EV batteries](https://bertmartinez.com/ford-gets-9-2b-for-ev-batteries/) - Uncle Sam's clean-energy push is giving Ford a major boost. The Energy Department has awarded the automaker a massive $9.2 billion loan to fund the construction of three EV battery plants, a move Bloomberg reports is "by far the biggest government backing for a U.S. automaker since the bailouts in the 2009 financial crisis." The
- [Twitter CEO's olive branch to Google](https://bertmartinez.com/twitter-ceos-olive-branch-to-google/) - Twitter boss Linda Yaccarino is helping to mend ties between Twitter and Google, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources. It's "an early example of the new CEO’s management style," says the Journal, and follows reports that Twitter was decliningto pay its bills for Google’s cloud business, a decision that could have directly impacted
- [Largest-ever drop in math scores](https://bertmartinez.com/largest-ever-drop-in-math-scores/) - Math scores among America’s 13-year-olds took the biggest plunge on record, as setbacks stemming from pandemic school shutdowns persisted. Average scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress fell by 9 points in math and 4 points in reading between 2020 and 2023. The test, given to a sample of students countrywide, is known as
- [Fed chair hints at more rate hikes](https://bertmartinez.com/fed-chair-hints-at-more-rate-hikes/) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday reasserted its mission to fight inflation, with Chair Jerome Powell saying that the central bank will likely soon return to raising interest rates. “Getting inflation back down to 2% has a long way to go,” Powell said in prepared remarks for testimony he will deliver to the House Financial Services
- [FTC sues Amazon over Prime](https://bertmartinez.com/ftc-sues-amazon-over-prime/) - The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon on Wednesday, alleging that the retailer “tricked” millions of customers into signing up for its Prime program and then frustrated their attempts to cancel those automatically renewing subscriptions. In a complaint filed in federal court, the regulator said Amazon designed its checkout process to make it harder to purchase
- [Marriott sued over 'junk fees'](https://bertmartinez.com/marriott-sued-over-junk-fees/) - As awareness of "junk fees" grows, more consumers are fighting back when companies tack unexpected extras onto their bills. On Wednesday, a group of hotel guests filed a lawsuit against Marriott over a $10 to $14 employee-protection fee that some of the chain’s Los Angeles properties are adding to room rates. The lawsuit estimates that
- [Work stress at historic high: Gallup](https://bertmartinez.com/work-stress-at-historic-high-gallup/) - By Riva Gold, Editor at LinkedIn News Worker stress reached a historic high in 2022, hitting productivity and performance, according to research from Gallup released Tuesday. The U.S. and Canada — tied with East Asia — had the highest levels in the world. About 31% of respondents in the U.S. and Canada said they were
- [Hunter Boot goes bankrupt](https://bertmartinez.com/hunter-boot-goes-bankrupt/) - Hunter Boot, the 176-year-old maker of $175 rain boots, has gone into administration — the British term for bankruptcy. The filing comes weeks after the company’s intellectual property was acquired by the U.S.-based Authentic Brands Group, and follows several years of financial difficulties stemming from warmer and drier winters, the pandemic, Brexit and inflation. But
- [Americans' donations down 10.5%](https://bertmartinez.com/americans-donations-down-10-5/) - Amid mass layoffs, inflation, stock market chaos and the threat of a recession, Americans are clinging to their cash. A Giving USA report released Tuesday finds that total charitable donations fell to $499 billion in 2022, down 3.4% from 2021 — or 10.5% when adjusted for inflation. Yet some were expecting the news to be
- [Can Apple trademark a real apple?](https://bertmartinez.com/can-apple-trademark-a-real-apple/) - Apple's lawyers want to take a bite out of the competition — competition that's readily available at your local grocery store. In a case working its way through courts in Switzerland, the tech giant wants to trademark a realistic image of a Granny Smith apple, Wired reports. Fruit Union Suisse, a farmer's organization roughly six
- [Is there a housing-price spiral?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-there-a-housing-price-spiral/) - Higher interest rates, while slowing overall inflation, could ultimately push home prices and rents even higher, The Wall Street Journal reports. As the Federal Reserve lifts rates to slow an increase in consumer prices, it has also raised the cost of building and buying homes. In theory this should slow development and curb rising land
- [SVB's overseas clients 'on hook'](https://bertmartinez.com/svbs-overseas-clients-on-hook/) - Non-U.S. customers of Silicon Valley Bank lost their deposits in that lender’s collapse, but many are still "on the hook" for credit lines and loans that were later sold to First Citizens Bank, reported The Wall Street Journal. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which arranged the sale of SVB, guarantees only U.S. deposits. The
- [Hackers threaten Reddit data leak](https://bertmartinez.com/hackers-threaten-reddit-data-leak/) - A ransomware group called BlackCat, also known as ALPHV, is threatening to release internal Reddit data it says it stole in February if the company doesn’t pay $4.5 million and reverse its controversial proposed API changes, The Verge reports. Reddit, which initially confirmed the attack in February, told CNN on Monday that BlackCat didn't obtain
- [Blinken meets with China's Xi Jinping](https://bertmartinez.com/blinken-meets-with-chinas-xi-jinping/) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing Monday. The meeting lasted for 35 minutes at the Great Hall of the People, with Blinken telling Xi that “the United States and China have an obligation and responsibility to manage our relationship,” per a State Department official. Meanwhile, Xi
- [Biggest companies lift pay: Study](https://bertmartinez.com/biggest-companies-lift-pay-study/) - A tight labor market helped keep median salaries high at S&P 500 companies last year, even with hot inflation and layoffs, The Wall Street Journal reports. The publisher teamed up with MyLogIQ to analyze compensation at 278 firms and found pay at about 100 of them had risen 10% or more in 2022 —
- [Boeing predicts $8T jet market](https://bertmartinez.com/boeing-predicts-8t-jet-market/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News Ahead of the aerospace trade event, the Paris Air Show, starting Monday, Boeing released its annual Commercial Market Outlook, predicting what will happen in the industry within the next 20 years. The company expects airlines to add 42,595 jets worldwide and become a market valued at about $8
- [Making commutes easier to RTO](https://bertmartinez.com/making-commutes-easier-to-rto/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News As companies continue leasing office space to bolster their employees' return to offices, some are prioritizing what makes for the most convenient commutes, Curbed writes. Commercial leases have increased in New York City’s Grand Central area, for example, where 225,000 square feet each month has been rented —
- [Collapsed I-95 to reopen soon](https://bertmartinez.com/collapsed-i-95-to-reopen-soon/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News The overpass section that collapsed on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia after a truck caught fire last Sunday will be temporarily repaired and reopen within the next two weeks, The Wall Street Journal reports. The temporary repairs, which will have a more permanent fix soon, will be built from
- [UBS-Credit Suisse deal closes](https://bertmartinez.com/ubs-credit-suisse-deal-closes/) - By Jessica Hartogs, Editor at LinkedIn News UBS has completed its takeover of Credit Suisse,"creating a global wealth-management titan," says Bloomberg. The finalized deal, announced Monday, has been in the works since the latter collapsed in March and is the largest banking merger since 2008. In one of the final steps before the rescue was
- [Novartis acquires Chinook for $3.5B](https://bertmartinez.com/novartis-acquires-chinook-for-3-5b/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News Novartis, a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company, is acquiring U.S.-based biotech firm Chinook Therapeutics for up to $3.5 billion. The blockbuster deal is the latest in the "race" to treat Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy, known as IgAN, which is an autoimmune disease that can lead to kidney failure in predominantly young
- [End of the 'revenge spend'?](https://bertmartinez.com/end-of-the-revenge-spend/) - By Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News So much for revenge spending. The vacation splurge that Americans went on following COVID shutdowns seems to be flagging. Slower demand for hotel rooms and airline tickets — in the face of still-high inflation, rising borrowing costs and recession worries — has begun to weigh on price growth
- [Heat wave to test Texas power grid](https://bertmartinez.com/heat-wave-to-test-texas-power-grid/) - By Melissa Cantor, Editor at LinkedIn News Several days of searing heat will test claims that the Texas power grid is "more reliable than ever." Some parts of South Texas will experience heat that feels like 116F on Wednesday, says the National Weather Service, with temperatures in Houston, Dallas and other large cities swelling
- [Netflix mulls entering the golf game](https://bertmartinez.com/netflix-mulls-entering-the-golf-game/) - By Jessica Hartogs, Editor at LinkedIn News Netflix may host its first-ever celebrity golf tournament this fall, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources. The event would be held in Las Vegas and feature stars from its “Drive to Survive” Formula One docuseries, as well as some of the professional golfers from its “Full
- [Fed holds rates in 15-month first](https://bertmartinez.com/fed-holds-rates-in-15-month-first/) - By Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the first time in 15 months Wednesday, but signaled it could raise them twice more this year to combat inflation. The central bank, after holding the benchmark rate in a range of 5% to 5.25%, forecast another half-percentage point rise
- [USDA to toughen meat labeling rules](https://bertmartinez.com/usda-to-toughen-meat-labeling-rules/) - By Theunis Bates, Editor at LinkedIn News The U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to crack down on misleading claims on meat packaging, following criticism that the agency has been too loose with its regulation of terms such as “humanely raised” and “raised without antibiotics.” Those terms allow producers to charge a premium. But unlike
- [Chinese upstart challenges Amazon](https://bertmartinez.com/chinese-upstart-challenges-amazon/) - By Saundra Latham, Editor at LinkedIn News Amazon isn't shaking in its boots just yet, but Chinese e-commerce firm Temu is starting to win over some U.S. shoppers. In May, Americans spent 20% more with Temu than Shein — another buzzy Chinese e-commerce retailer — and Temu has topped Apple's App Store by several metrics
- [EU clamps down on Google](https://bertmartinez.com/eu-clamps-down-on-google/) - By Jessica Hartogs, Editor at LinkedIn News European Union regulators went after Google Wednesday, charging the tech giant with violating antitrust laws. Accused of abusing its power in online advertising to "undercut rivals," it's the fourth time in recent years that Google has been charged with violating antitrust laws in Europe. The EU said it
- [San Francisco's downtown struggles](https://bertmartinez.com/san-franciscos-downtown-struggles/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News What was once a bustling downtown San Francisco for commercial real estate is now mostly empty, Insider reports. Between some retail stores closing, some crime fears, tech companies laying off employees and putting more emphasis on working remotely, foot traffic has gone down almost 60% compared to what
- [How to 'Couch Surf' and Sleep Around for Free](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-couch-surf-and-sleep-around-for-free/) - Fox News|By Paul Eisenberg -Thursday, October 01, 2009 “I would never in a million years pay what you pay in New York City rent,” my houseguest said. This statement was uttered a few years ago by a friend of a friend of a friend who had just regained consciousness on my living room couch. My
- [10 Best Ways To Use ChatGPT](https://bertmartinez.com/10-best-ways-to-use-chatgpt/) - There are numerous ways to use ChatGPT to enhance various aspects of your life and work. Here are ten examples of the best ways to utilize ChatGPT: 1. Generating Ideas: When you're feeling stuck or need inspiration, ChatGPT can help generate ideas for writing, brainstorming, or problem-solving. 2. Writing Assistance: ChatGPT can act as
- [GM pickups get $632M boost](https://bertmartinez.com/gm-pickups-get-632m-boost/) - By Ruiqi Chen, Editor at LinkedIn News General Motors has pledged another US$632 million towards truck and SUV production in North America, bringing its recently planned investments in large vehicles to more than US$2.3 billion. The new amount will go towards a plant in Indiana, CNBC writes, as the American automaker doubles down on traditional,
- [Striking writers wreak havoc on sets](https://bertmartinez.com/striking-writers-wreak-havoc-on-sets/) - By Melissa Cantor, Editor at LinkedIn News The Flying Squadrons are on set, but they’re not there to dazzle cameras with aerial maneuvers. These are battalions of picketing Writers Guild of America members out to cost studios millions by disrupting movie and television shoots. Named after striking 1930s textile workers, these WGA squads are blocking
- [More problems for regional banks?](https://bertmartinez.com/more-problems-for-regional-banks/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News Despite some stock market gains this week for regional banks, there could be more pressure ahead because of commercial real estate, Bloomberg reports. After years of being big lenders to office and retail spaces, the rise of remote working altered values. Now, there's nearly $1.5 trillion worth of
- [SF hotels hit by visitor drought](https://bertmartinez.com/sf-hotels-hit-by-visitor-drought/) - By Jessica Hartogs, Editor at LinkedIn News Hotels in San Francisco are suffering their worst bookings run in 15 years. While cities such as New York and Los Angeles are seeing reservations back to 2019 levels, with revenue exceeding pre-pandemic numbers — San Francisco's revenue per available room was 23% lower in April, compared to
- [Truck fire collapses I-95 in Philly](https://bertmartinez.com/truck-fire-collapses-i-95-in-philly/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News A tanker truck that caught fire on a section of Interstate 95 in northeast Philadelphia, causing part of it to collapse Sunday morning, has left "the East Coast's primary highway with major damage that could take months to repair," reported CNN. Zero injuries or fatalities were reported but
- [Union talks stall West Coast cargo](https://bertmartinez.com/union-talks-stall-west-coast-cargo/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News A lack of progress in contract negotiations for unionized workers of the West Coast’s International Longshore and Warehouse Union has stalled $5.2 billion worth of cargo from being moved in California, CNBC reports. The union has been in talks with The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents employers, since
- [The S&P 500's bull market is back](https://bertmartinez.com/the-sp-500s-bull-market-is-back/) - By Riva Gold, Editor at LinkedIn News It's official: The S&P 500 has ended its longest bear market since the 1940s. The benchmark U.S. stock index officially returned to a bull market at the close of trade Thursday, having risen 20% or more from a low in October 2022. A small group of tech companies
- [Startups shutter as cash dries up](https://bertmartinez.com/startups-shutter-as-cash-dries-up/) - By Jessy Bains, Editor at LinkedIn News A growing number of startups are shutting down or pivoting their businesses as venture capital funding and bank loans become increasingly expensive and harder to score. Pre-seed investment firm Hustle Fund tells The Wall Street Journal that only about 60 of the 101 original companies in its first
- [Walgreen's opens digital-only store](https://bertmartinez.com/walgreens-opens-digital-only-store/) - By Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News Walgreen’s has opened an experimental store in Chicago that displays just two aisles of merchandise. Other products typically carried by the drugstore chain — cosmetics, alcohol and gift cards — are accessed by ordering online or through a kiosk system in the store. Shoppers who are on site
- [Explicit music at work a legal risk](https://bertmartinez.com/explicit-music-at-work-a-legal-risk/) - By Jake Perez, Editor at LinkedIn News Playing music with raunchy, derogatory or obscene lyrics at work can create a hostile environment and might even violate laws against sexual discrimination, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The decision will allow eight former S&S Activewear employees to move forward with a lawsuit against the wholesaler. The
- [Hazy skies stoke demand for N95s](https://bertmartinez.com/hazy-skies-stoke-demand-for-n95s/) - By Theunis Bates, Editor at LinkedIn News Demand for N95 masks is surging as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the East Coast and Midwest. The masks — widely used during the pandemic — are designed to filter out 95% of tiny airborne pollution particles that can become embedded in lung tissue, potentially causing respiratory problems
- [These states are hungry for talent](https://bertmartinez.com/these-states-are-hungry-for-talent/) - By Mariah Flores, Editor at LinkedIn News Several states are awash with job opportunities — but face scarce candidate pools. According to a new LinkedIn analysis, 37 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., are experiencing tighter labor markets than they did before the COVID pandemic. The biggest increases in labor-market tightness are notably in less populous
- [GM links with Tesla on EV charging](https://bertmartinez.com/gm-links-with-tesla-on-ev-charging/) - By Jake Perez, Editor at LinkedIn News General Motors' electric vehicles will be able to tap into Tesla's Supercharger network, starting with 2025 models, both auto giants announced Thursday. The team-up is another win for Tesla after it sealed a similar deal with Fordtwo weeks ago, and it signals a shift away from the current
- [Salesforce's new RTO ploy: charity](https://bertmartinez.com/salesforces-new-rto-ploy-charity/) - By Saundra Latham, Editor at LinkedIn News Salesforce is experimenting with a novel way to bring workers back into the office. The sales-software giant will donate $10 to local charities for each day an employee heads into the office June 12-23, Fortune has confirmed. The program aims to raise up to $2.5 million, and employees
- [Ads could come to Prime Video: WSJ](https://bertmartinez.com/ads-could-come-to-prime-video-wsj/) - By Saundra Latham, Editor at LinkedIn News Amazon may soon join the ranks of streamers who are beefing up their advertising businesses. Discussions to add an advertising-supported tier to Prime Video are in early stages, anonymous sources tell The Wall Street Journal. Netflix and Disney+ have added ad tiers in recent months, a strategy they
- [European stores head to US malls](https://bertmartinez.com/european-stores-head-to-us-malls/) - By Melissa Cantor, Editor at LinkedIn News International brands want a bigger presence in American malls. Mango, Zara, Primark, Lego and Ikea are just a few of the European retailers plotting big U.S. expansions, The Wall Street Journal reports. The lure is clear: U.S. retail spending totaled $7.1 trillion last year. But why now? Compared
- [Wildfire smoke engulfs parts of US](https://bertmartinez.com/wildfire-smoke-engulfs-parts-of-us/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News New York City topped cities worldwide for the worst air-quality Wednesday afternoon as a plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires also blanketed the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for a second day. Lowered visibility prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to halt some flights to LaGuardia Airport, while
- [Sequoia breaking up US, China funds](https://bertmartinez.com/sequoia-breaking-up-us-china-funds/) - By Jessy Bains, Editor at LinkedIn News The venture capital behemoth Sequoia Capital will break itself up into three separate units based on geography by March of next year. The move, which comes amid growing tension between China and the U.S., will see Sequoia formally separate its Chinese and Indian-based operations and also create an
- [Canada wildfire smoke reaches US](https://bertmartinez.com/canada-wildfire-smoke-reaches-us/) - By Tiffany Moustakas, Editor at LinkedIn News Smoke from the more than 400 active wildfires burning in Canada has reached the northern U.S. on Tuesday, prompting hazy skies and air quality alerts in 17 states, from New York to Minnesota. So far this season, Canada has had more than 2,200 wildfires, with more expected. Officials
- [Execs caught in culture wars](https://bertmartinez.com/execs-caught-in-culture-wars/) - By Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News CEOs are grappling with unprecedented pushback over corporate efforts to align with social causes, efforts demanded by many customers, employees and investors. With Pride month — the annual LGBTQ+ celebration that's become a fixture on marketing calendars — now underway, some execs are weighing which social issues
- [SEC seeks freeze of Binance assets](https://bertmartinez.com/sec-seeks-freeze-of-binance-assets/) - By Jake Perez, Editor at LinkedIn News The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked a federal court to freeze the assets of Binance’s U.S. operation, alleging that the world’s largest crypto exchange has shown “disregard” for the law and that customers’ funds are at risk. The move comes a day after the SEC charged Binance
- [Hiring picked up speed in May](https://bertmartinez.com/hiring-picked-up-speed-in-may/) - The labor market shows little sign of flagging in the face of rapidly rising interest rates, after the U.S. added more jobs than estimated for a 14th month in May. The Federal Reserve has lifted its key rate 10 times over the same period to fight stubborn inflation. While the central bank had been widely
- [Senate passes debt ceiling bill](https://bertmartinez.com/senate-passes-debt-ceiling-bill/) - By Jessica Hartogs, Editor at LinkedIn News The Senate passed the debt ceiling bill late Thursday in a 63-36 vote, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden to sign, and avoiding a potentially calamitous default. The Fiscal Responsibility Act suspends the country's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling until 2025 and cuts federal spending. The Treasury Department
- [Twitter loses second safety exec](https://bertmartinez.com/twitter-loses-second-safety-exec/) - By Riva Gold, Editor at LinkedIn News Twitter has lost two safety executives in as many days,The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources. The departure of A.J. Brown, the social media platform’s head of brand safety and ad quality, follows Head of Trust and Safety Ella Irwin's resignation Thursday. Twitter's content moderation policies have
- [Meta mandates office workers return](https://bertmartinez.com/meta-mandates-office-workers-return/) - By Monica Fike, Editor at LinkedIn News Meta has sounded the return-to-office alarms. Beginning in September, the Facebook parent will require employees to work in the office three days a week, The Information reports, citing an internal memo. It's a marked turnaround for the tech giant, which was a staunch advocate of remote work during
- [NFIB Jobs Report: Small Businesses Have Record High Levels of Job Openings](https://bertmartinez.com/nfib-jobs-report-small-businesses-have-record-high-levels-of-job-openings/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Henrichs, 913-671-0333 Owners continue to struggle to find qualified workers for open positions AUSTIN (June 1, 2023) – According to NFIB’s monthly jobs report, 44% (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down one point from April but still 20 points higher than
- [Wearable Health Solutions Inc. Launches New Direct-to-Consumer Website to Expand it’s Market Share into $8.20 Billion Global Personal Emergency Response Systems Market](https://bertmartinez.com/wearable-health-solutions-inc-launches-new-direct-to-consumer-website-to-expand-its-market-share-into-8-20-billion-global-personal-emergency-response-systems-market/) - 5/31/2023 NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 31, 2023 / Wearable Health Solutions Inc. (OTC PINK:WHSI), a leading provider of wearable health solutions, is delighted to announce the launch of its new Direct-to-Consumer website, https://www.1800medalert.com/. This exciting development aims to bring their innovative personal emergency response systems (PERS) to customers worldwide through a user-friendly online platform.
- [Number of Arizona Travel IDs now exceeds 2 million](https://bertmartinez.com/number-of-arizona-travel-ids-now-exceeds-2-million/) - Having trouble viewing this email? https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZDOT/bulletins/35d8786 Deadline is May 2025 if you wish to use state credential for travel PHOENIX – With just under two years remaining before the federal deadline for domestic airline travelers to have a federally compliant ID, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has issued more than 2 million Arizona
- [Top 5 Content Marketing Tools](https://bertmartinez.com/top-5-content-marketing-tools/) - Top 5 Content Marketing Tools Does your company have a content marketing strategy? If the answer is no, that should change. A content marketing strategy is when a company creates and puts out content that’s relevant, valuable, and consistent. This content can vary from blog posts to emails to social media and the goal of
- [Are You Willing To Do What It Takes To Help Your Business See The Success You Dream Of?](https://bertmartinez.com/are-you-willing-to-do-what-it-takes-to-help-your-business-see-the-success-you-dream-of/) - When you own a business, one of the things that you want to do is ensure that you are completing everything possible to help yourself become as successful as possible. There are many different ways that you could go about this, so it’s simply going to be a case of implementing as many of them
- [Exploring the Evolution of Web Search Trends in the Coworking Space Industry: A Comprehensive Google Trends Analysis](https://bertmartinez.com/exploring-the-evolution-of-web-search-trends-in-the-coworking-space-industry-a-comprehensive-google-trends-analysis/) - Exploring the Evolution of Web Search Trends in the Coworking Space Industry: A Comprehensive Google Trends Analysis Google searches related to ‘coworking’ experienced a significant and consistent increase starting from 2007, peaking in mid-2021. The number of ‘coworking’ searches stabilized in 2022, showing a sustained level of interest with low seasonal fluctuation. The interest for
- [Customer Goodwill: Why It's So Important In Business](https://bertmartinez.com/customer-goodwill-why-its-so-important-in-business/) - As a business owner, knowing who your customers are is only half the battle. No one might have told you that, but it’s true! Because once you understand who you’re selling to, you then need to curate some everlasting goodwill. Why? Well, the more you impress your customer base, the more custom you’re going to
- [5 Wonderful Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation](https://bertmartinez.com/5-wonderful-benefits-of-mindfulness-meditation/) - Mindfulness meditation offers a plethora of healing benefits to your body, mind, and soul. So often, we are swept away by compulsive thinking that takes us away from the present moment. If you’re looking for more peace, joy, and love in your life – mindfulness meditation is a practice you should try. Take a break
- [How to Save Money on Home Repairs](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-save-money-on-home-repairs/) - Most people don't realize how much money they can save by doing their own home repairs. With a little knowledge and some elbow grease, you can fix many common problems around the house without calling in a professional from Butler Contracting. In this blog post, we'll show you how to save money on home repairs
- [6 Ways to Build a Healthier Relationship with Your Partner](https://bertmartinez.com/6-ways-to-build-a-healthier-relationship-with-your-partner/) - You just got home from a busy day at work just to find out that your partner forgot to schedule the foundation repair with Brickworks Property Restoration. Sometimes you feel like your partner doesn’t care, and it’s starting to take a toll on you. That’s why we’re offering some advice by listing 6 ways to
- [Turn Negative Situations Into Positives With These Ideas](https://bertmartinez.com/turn-negative-situations-into-positives-with-these-ideas/) - In life, we all go through situations that we'd rather avoid. We all want every single day to be wonderful and full of joy. That simply cannot happen, though, as there is a poetic balance to everything. We need to go through pretty torrid times in order to really appreciate the good ones. Life isn't
- [How to Effectively Promote Your Small Business on Instagram](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-effectively-promote-your-small-business-on-instagram/) - Are you using Instagram to promote your small business? If not, you should be! Instagram is a powerful social media platform with over 1 billion monthly active users, from regular individuals to executives of major companies like Access Global. In other words, if you want to reach and engage your target audience, Instagram is the
- [How to Improve Your Nighttime Routine for Better Sleep](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-improve-your-nighttime-routine-for-better-sleep/) - It is estimated that nearly 1 in 3 adults around the United States have difficulty sleeping several nights per week. If you are one of these individuals, it is likely that you feel frustrated and might find that your lack of sleep at night is taking a negative toll on your work and personal life,
- [3 Ways Working From Home Can Improve Your Mental Health](https://bertmartinez.com/3-ways-working-from-home-can-improve-your-mental-health/) - The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for employees and executives working in a variety of industries around the world. Amidst countless challenges and difficulties in the workplace caused by the global pandemic and its effects on the world, one positive contribution to the workplace came to light: the ability to work from home. As
- [5 Practices to Relieve Anxiety Instantly](https://bertmartinez.com/5-practices-to-relieve-anxiety-instantly/) - You just moved with the assistance of Black Tie Moving, and you’re starting to feel anxious about how much work you have left to do. Moving to a new city can certainly cause some anxiety in anyone. That’s why we are offering up 5 practices to relieve anxiety instantly! Get Some Fresh Air Research reveals
- [7 Things to Know Before Starting Your Fitness Journey](https://bertmartinez.com/7-things-to-know-before-starting-your-fitness-journey/) - You just bought a house, and Black Tie Moving will be at your doorstep any minute. You’ve had so many exciting changes happening lately, and you’re ready to start making fitness one of them. Here are 7 things to know before starting your fitness journey! The Power of Your Mindset Working out is hard – until
- [4 Collaboration Ideas To Grow Your Small Business](https://bertmartinez.com/4-collaboration-ideas-to-grow-your-small-business/) - Collaborating with other companies can provide several benefits for your small business. It can increase your business's visibility and generate more leads. Collaborating with other businesses can help build long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, generate new ideas, and keep your business innovative. A US study shows that nearly 80% of companies use collaboration tools to
- [4 Reasons to Install a Backyard Pool](https://bertmartinez.com/4-reasons-to-install-a-backyard-pool/) - For homeowners around the country, having a private, backyard pool is an unattainable dream. While many people would enjoy the luxury and comfort of having a swimming pool in their own yard, the cost and labor required to install such an amenity seems like too much for many homeowners. Luckily, with the help of contracting
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- [How to Upgrade Your Morning Routine for a Better Day](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-upgrade-your-morning-routine-for-a-better-day/) - Not a morning person? You’re not alone. Around the world, it is estimated that the majority of people prefer the afternoon and evening, and find waking up early and being productive in the morning to be difficult. Experts agree that the key to having a good day is establishing a solid morning routine in which
- [5 Simple (Yet, Healthy) Habits to Start in 2023](https://bertmartinez.com/5-simple-yet-healthy-habits-to-start-in-2023/) - This year may have been a bit more trying than most. Perhaps you started your new job at Black Tie Moving and wonder how you’ll manage creating new, healthy habits in 2023. Fret not, we’ve come up with 5 simple (yet healthy) habits to start in 2023. Let’s get into it! Physical Activity It’s no
- [3 Backyard DIY Projects For The Winter](https://bertmartinez.com/3-backyard-diy-projects-for-the-winter/) - As you're probably aware"Do it yourself" is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professional experts. DIY for short! As the winter months drag on, many people find themselves stuck inside. While the nights get longer and the temperatures continue to drop, most individuals across the nation
- [5 of the Best Jobs for College Students](https://bertmartinez.com/5-of-the-best-jobs-for-college-students/) - Making money as a college student can be tough. In addition to not having the qualifications to work in fields related to your desired career that might require a degree, it’s likely that you don’t have time to work much in between studying, doing homework, attending classes, and participating in extracurricular activities. If you’re a
- [Diversify Your Portfolio in 7 Easy Steps](https://bertmartinez.com/diversify-your-portfolio-in-7-easy-steps/) - A well-diversified portfolio is one of the most important things you can have as an investor. Not only does it reduce your risk, but it also allows you to take advantage of a variety of opportunities. This blog post will discuss easy steps that will help you diversify your portfolio quickly and easily! 1: Decide
- [6 Ways to Get a Positive Mindset](https://bertmartinez.com/6-ways-to-get-a-positive-mindset/) - If only positive thinking were a regular occurrence in your life! Often, we turn to distractions like scrolling through outdoorsolutionscorp.com or the latest Reddit thread to drown out our negative thoughts. However, distracting yourself will not establish a positive mindset – it will only temporarily mask what you’re feeling inside. Instead, try practicing these 6
- [3 Steps to Making Money on Etsy](https://bertmartinez.com/3-steps-to-making-money-on-etsy/) - Etsy is an online marketplace in which users can sell art, handmade items, and more. From home decorations to vintage clothing and everything in between, Etsy is the perfect destination for online shoppers looking to purchase unique items. If you’re new to the world of Etsy, it can be daunting to learn how to navigate
- [4 Affordable Gift Ideas for Car Lovers](https://bertmartinez.com/4-affordable-gift-ideas-for-car-lovers/) - If you are not a car enthusiast, buying gifts for a loved one who is can be difficult. Since you likely aren’t in the position to purchase a car or service from Precision Car Restoration as a birthday or Christmas gift for a friend or family member who loves cars, you might be struggling to
- [4 Tips To Become A Successful Social Media Strategist](https://bertmartinez.com/4-tips-to-become-a-successful-social-media-strategist/) - The work of a social media strategist involves a wide range of distinct tasks and calls for a diverse set of abilities. Simply put, they are social media specialists who develop strategies for managing online communities. Finding target audiences and developing tactics to reach them may sound like a fun and exciting career, but it
- [Home Automation Systems That Will Make Your Home More Modern](https://bertmartinez.com/home-automation-systems-that-will-make-your-home-more-modern/) - When it comes to home automation, there are a lot of different options to choose from. If you're looking to make your home more modern and efficient, one of the best things you can do is install a home automation system. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best home
- [Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Office With These Fun Ideas](https://bertmartinez.com/celebrate-thanksgiving-in-the-office-with-these-fun-ideas/) - Thanksgiving is a time to come together with friends and family to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. It's also an excellent opportunity to celebrate as a team! If you're looking for some fun ideas to celebrate Thanksgiving in the office, look no further. This blog will discuss several ways your team
- [When To Rebrand, Refurbish and Re-equip Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/when-to-rebrand-refurbish-and-re-equip-your-business/) - Sometimes it’s important to give your business a rehaul. There may come a point when old business ideas no longer work. Bringing in new ideas could be essential for the future success of your business, even if it does mean having to adjust to change. There are three big ways to refresh a business: rebrand,
- [3 Ways to Stay Active At Your Desk Job](https://bertmartinez.com/3-ways-to-stay-active-at-your-desk-job/) - Medical experts report that sedentary lifestyles, which include the majority of employees across the country who work a typical 9-5 office job, can have extremely negative effects on your health. While many fitness enthusiasts might feel that eating healthy and working out a few days a week has the potential to balance out hours of
- [Your Book](https://bertmartinez.com/your-book/) - A book can be an amazing platform for your business if you do it right! – It’s got credibility, it’s got impact and, most importantly, you can market yourself and your business through it in a ‘whole bunch’ of ways. Because, to be honest, it doesn’t do you any good to write a book and
- [3 Tips for Saving Money on Travel](https://bertmartinez.com/3-tips-for-saving-money-on-travel/) - Whether you’re a college student looking to experience a semester abroad or an executive looking to enjoy a luxury business trip utilizing amenities like a Van Nuys Car Service, it’s no secret that traveling is expensive. Research shows that while the majority of individuals around the world enjoy traveling and would like to do so
- [Creating Meaningful Incentives for Your Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/creating-meaningful-incentives-for-your-employees/) - The American economy is currently experiencing unknown conditions. Economists hesitate to label our situation as a “recession” simply because of the low unemployment rate and high job creation. Although we’ve seen an increase in interest rates and inflation, “Help Wanted” signs are still overwhelmingly visible throughout the country. It’s become clear that companies with positive
- [3 Tips For Saving Money On A Home Remodel](https://bertmartinez.com/3-tips-for-saving-money-on-a-home-remodel/) - Undergoing a home renovation project can be a major stressor for any household, especially when you are concerned about finances and the total cost of your renovation. No matter your budget, the costs of everything needed during a home renovation can quickly add up, from purchasing materials to hiring help and any unforeseen issues that
- [The Perfect Morning Routine to Own Your Day](https://bertmartinez.com/the-perfect-morning-routine-to-own-your-day/) - Mornings are hard. We get it. There are some habits you can put in place and some habits you can eliminate to make this part of the day less challenging. After all, “the early bird gets the worm.” Here is a morning routine that can help set you up for the perfect day!No Electronics Scrolling
- [5 Fun Ideas For Your Next Company Outing](https://bertmartinez.com/5-fun-ideas-for-your-next-company-outing/) - Organizing an outing for your team that encourages everyone’s participation and involvement in a particular activity can improve relationships among your team members and improve your company culture. Whether you’re the CEO of a major company like Haines or working in an entry level position at a small business, team outings are a great
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- [How To Reduce Your Equipment Maintenance Costs](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-reduce-your-equipment-maintenance-costs/) - Companies often rely on their assets to operate effectively. Here are some effective tips to reduce your equipment maintenance costs.
- [What Do You Need to Start an Online Business?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-do-you-need-to-start-an-online-business/) - In our increasingly digital world, it’s more tempting than ever to follow your dreams and launch an online business. The advantages are manifold, including control of your schedule, financial freedom, and a chance to indulge your creative side. Succeeding online isn’t easy, but a few skills will give you a better chance. Install Great
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- [Napoleon's Key to Victory](https://bertmartinez.com/napoleons-key-to-victory/) - Napoleon's Key to Victory The only real measure of business leadership is results. This requires the ability to act boldly with no guarantees of success. The greatest obstacle to overcome is fear of the unknown. The Key to Confidence Most fear however, is rooted in ignorance. The more knowledge or skill you have in any
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- [How Do Stocks Work?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-do-stocks-work/) - It is really important to understand how the stocks work. Many people just hear about stocks and assume that it only makes sense to the select few.
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- [8 Reasons Why You Need Competition In Business](https://bertmartinez.com/8-reasons-why-you-need-competition-in-business/) - Competition isn’t something that many business owners will initially welcome.Here are some of the reasons why competition can benefit you.
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- [How to Invest in Stocks for Beginners](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-invest-in-stocks-for-beginners/) - Investing in stocks is one of the most effective ways to grow your money. The key is getting started early and investing consistently over the years. Read more.
- [Getting Your Business Noticed – A Short Guide](https://bertmartinez.com/getting-your-business-noticed-a-short-guide/) - If you are looking to grow your business and make a real success of it, you need to get your business noticed on the internet and social media. Read More.
- [How To Choose A Business Location](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-choose-a-business-location/) - If you’re setting up a new office, relocating, or buying a business: There are a few things to think about as part of your decision, read to discover
- [5 Services To Hire For Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/5-services-to-hire-for-your-business/) - There are numerous different services for businesses to hire, but how can you tell which ones are worth considering? Read this article to discover!
- [Who Your Business Needs To Succeed](https://bertmartinez.com/who-your-business-needs-to-succeed/) - Behind every great business, there’s a whole team of people. In this blog, we’re going to look at the people you’ll want to have around your business.
- [The Top Ways to Reward Your Employees.](https://bertmartinez.com/the-top-ways-to-reward-your-employees/) - If you are struggling to show your employees just how much you appreciate them, here are some of the best ways to reward your employees.
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- [25 Passive Income Ideas](https://bertmartinez.com/25-passive-income-ideas/) - Discover 25 great ideas to flows money in regular intervals without the need for putting in a considerable amount of effort to create it
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- [How to Nurture Good Business Relationships](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-nurture-good-business-relationships/) - A business is only as strong as its relationships with its clients, employees and customers. Look at the different ways to nurture good business relationships.
- [Why Postage and Packaging Is an Important Part of Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/why-postage-and-packaging-is-an-important-part-of-your-business/) - Did you know good packaging can increase a customer's perception of at least 76%? Read to discover why packaging is an important part of your business.
- [4 Ways to Build Team Spirit](https://bertmartinez.com/4-ways-to-build-team-spirit/) - As a leader, you need to focus on creating a collaborative atmosphere that promotes openness between employees and managers to increase the work productivity.
- [Efficient Ways You Can Streamline Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/efficient-ways-you-can-streamline-your-business/) - As a business owner there are a few main areas that you can concentrate on to help you streamline your business to make it as efficient as possible.
- [Is Your Website Giving Your Business the Marketing Push It Needs?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-your-website-giving-your-business-the-marketing-push-it-needs/) - Here are some of the best qualities your website should have in order to fulfil a successful marketing campaign. Read this article to discover.
- [8 Must-have Sections on Your Pay-Per-Click Dashboard](https://bertmartinez.com/8-must-have-sections-on-your-pay-per-click-dashboard/) - As an online marketer, it is vital to have a PPC dashboard. Read the article to discover the 8 Must-have Sections on Your Pay-Per-Click Dashboard.
- [How To Make Your Staff Happier At Work](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-make-your-staff-happier-at-work/) - As a business owner you will always want your staff to feel respected and happy. Here are the best tips for making sure your staff are content at work.
- [Helpful Tips on How To Secure Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/helpful-tips-on-how-to-secure-your-business/) - Have you put in place the best security measures to protect all these? Here are some tips to help you out to Secure Your Business.
- [How to Create a Social Media Strategy for Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-create-a-social-media-strategy-for-your-business/) - Here is a look at everything you need to know on How to Create a Social Media Strategy for Your Business, read more to discover:
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- [A Simple Strategy To Boost Your Productivity](https://bertmartinez.com/a-simple-strategy-to-boost-your-productivity/) - Read more to discover simple strategies that has helped Bert Martinez to improve his productivity significantly in his daily routine.
- [5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Day](https://bertmartinez.com/5-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-day/) - Everyone wants to succeed at what they do by making the most out of their day. Read to learn a few things that you can do to maximize what you do in a day.
- [3 Excellent Ways You Can Ensure Safety In The Workplace](https://bertmartinez.com/3-excellent-ways-you-can-ensure-safety-in-the-workplace/) - As a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep yourself and your employees safe in the workplace and avoid injuries and lawsuits. Read more to discover.
- [3 Essential Tips for Entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/3-essential-tips-for-entrepreneurs/) - Every year 600K new businesses are registered in the US, but less than half hit the five-year mark. This article will offer you tips as you embark on this path.
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- [Top Tips For Improving The SEO Of Your Website](https://bertmartinez.com/top-tips-for-improving-the-seo-of-your-website/) - You could use SEO APIs that enable you to drive better results, as well as the other tips below. Here are some top tips for improving the SEO of your website.
- [Batten Down The Hatches For These Business Storms](https://bertmartinez.com/batten-down-the-hatches-for-these-business-storms/) - As a business owner you need to be aware of some of the issues that your company can face. Here are the storms that you should be prepared for.
- [How does a Millionaire Trader Think or Act?](https://bertmartinez.com/how-does-a-millionaire-trader-think-or-act/) - Before joining the trading business, acting or thinking like a trader can help beginners to shine in the long run. Read to learn the footprints of the experts.
- [5 Tips to Decrease Your Company's Expenditure](https://bertmartinez.com/5-tips-to-decrease-your-companys-expenditure/) - The following tips will help you decrease your company's expenditure and give you more time and money to focus on what matters – growing your business.
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- [5 Ideas To Improve Office Ergonomics](https://bertmartinez.com/5-ideas-to-improve-office-ergonomics/) - Office ergonomics refers to arranging and designing workstations and offices to suit your staff members and the jobs they do. Ergonomic design takes into consideration the physical force required to complete a task, as well as repetition and posture. An ergonomic workstation should reduce force, limit uncomfortable postures and eliminate repetitive strain. Ergonomics is about
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- [What is SEO and why is it important?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-seo-and-why-is-it-important/) - SEO. As a business owner, you will have certainly heard those three letters thrown around plenty of times over the past few years. You may already be implementing it within your small business, but you’re not up to date with the latest SEO developments that are leaving you stranded among the competition. If that’s you
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- [Asking The Right Questions When Working With A Marketing Firm](https://bertmartinez.com/asking-the-right-questions-when-working-with-a-marketing-firm/) - It is important for every company to keep strong connections with existing customers, gather new clients, and establish a stronger brand so they can ensure their success. Among one of the most successful methods to achieve this is to figure out a promotional plan that engages your target consumer base, and this demands careful planning
- [Delight Your Customers And Boost Your Business!](https://bertmartinez.com/delight-your-customers-and-boost-your-business/) - Business success is not only about the product that you offer. It is also about how you treat those that interact and buy from you, your customers, potential or otherwise. Indeed, things are most definitely moving towards a more customer-focused experience in all areas of business. Although, none so directly impact the customer as customer
- [Why is Startup Capital So Important?](https://bertmartinez.com/why-is-startup-capital-so-important/) - There are many important aspects to consider when starting a new business, but you will notice that a lot of attention is focused on startup capital. This is for good reason, because it is incredibly important not only for getting the business up and running but also in the critical early days when you will
- [5 Tips to Reduce Business Equipment Costs](https://bertmartinez.com/5-tips-to-reduce-business-equipment-costs/) - All businesses rely on equipment to get the job done. It doesn’t matter whether this is laptops and smartphones or huge industrial machinery; it all contributes to the success of the business. But these tools can be hugely expensive. Not only to buy, but also to maintain and upgrade when needed. If you’re not careful
- [How To Compete With The Biggest Brands In Your Industry](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-compete-with-the-biggest-brands-in-your-industry/) - Smaller brands always have the struggle of competing against the much bigger companies in their industry. This can be a tough fight because small companies do not have the same budget or resources that the household name brands have, which can make it hard to compete. While it will always be a struggle, there are
- [Important Steps To Consider When Developing An International Brand](https://bertmartinez.com/important-steps-to-consider-when-developing-an-international-brand/) - Running your own successful business can be such a rewarding experience, especially when your brand is recognised throughout your local area and even your country as a whole. Building on this success in order to branch out to international markets has probably passed your mind at some point, but the apparent volume of risks and
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- [5 Ways To Boost Your Online Presence](https://bertmartinez.com/5-ways-to-boost-your-online-presence/) - pexels Succeeding in the business world today relies greatly on digital marketing and establishing an online presence. Customers look to social media and the web to find out everything they want to know about a brand. They expect active social profiles, timely responses, and a reflection of their values. To boost your online presence today,
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- [Essentials to Think About Before Starting Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/essentials-to-think-about-before-starting-your-business/) - Even before your first day of business, you will have your hands full with managing a long list of big and small tasks. While you’re running helter-skelter to put your dream together, this checklist ensures that you don’t let anything essential fall through the cracks. The brilliant idea you had for your business is just
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- [What is the market trade value for a home?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-is-the-market-trade-value-for-a-home/) - If you're considering selling your home or looking at purchasing a house, there are some things to consider. The market trade value for any property is what that home would be worth in an open and fair market. This price varies wildly from property to property, of course, and can change based on factors like
- [4 Reasons Employers Need to Provide a Financial Security Benefit to Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/4-reasons-employers-need-to-provide-a-financial-security-benefit-to-employees/) - A financial security benefit that helps employees pay for and manage their out of pocket healthcare expenses allows an employer to not only keep healthcare costs down, but to provide a much-needed benefit to their employees, one that pays dividends for years to come. Here are 4 reasons why employers need to provide a financial
- [Finding Work For Your Business Without The Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/finding-work-for-your-business-without-the-marketing/) - When you read about business success in the modern world, marketing is often heralded as the key to the money organizations are able to make. Being able to persuade people to buy something from you on a mass scale is a big challenge, and it makes sense that marketing can play such a big role
- [Freelancer Or Business Owner: Choosing The Right Path For You](https://bertmartinez.com/freelancer-or-business-owner-choosing-the-right-path-for-you/) - Working for yourself is something that a lot of people want. The idea of leaving your old bosses behind to start something that you are in full control of can be very appealing, and it makes sense that people work so hard to achieve this goal. Of course, though, while you probably have a good
- [How To Get Your Ecommerce Customers Coming Back For More](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-get-your-ecommerce-customers-coming-back-for-more/) - On top of attracting new customers to your online store, it pays to find ways of attracting return customers. There are many ways to build loyal customers when running an ecommerce business. Here are just several strategies to consider. Encourage customers to sign up to your mailing list By encouraging customers to join your mailing
- [Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid Of Going It Alone In Business](https://bertmartinez.com/why-you-shouldnt-be-afraid-of-going-it-alone-in-business/) - The thought of waving goodbye to your lucrative wage, awesome promotion prospects, and office colleagues may fill you with dread. However, there may still be a yearning to begin your own venture. It doesn’t matter whether you want to stick to what you know and move into the financial services realm from your accountancy firm
- [How To Connect Better With Your Customers Or Clients](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-connect-better-with-your-customers-or-clients/) - As a business owner, you’re going to want to increase your reputation and, thus, sales year on year. You need to be able to turn people’s heads and keep them hooked on what you have to say. Hard work, unique ideas, and money management are all vitally important, but marketing and building relationships are arguably up there
- [Best Cleaning Practices for Medical Professions](https://bertmartinez.com/best-cleaning-practices-for-medical-professions/) - There are not many places of work which require such strict regulation of hygiene than a medical practice. A once-over with the vacuum and a bit of a wipe might be enough for the office, but when it comes to treatment rooms, everything needs to be sanitized. Because of this, there is a best cleaning
- [3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs to Backup Your Data](https://bertmartinez.com/3-reasons-why-your-business-needs-to-backup-your-data/) - When you think of disaster recovery from a business standpoint, the first thing that comes to mind might be some kind of natural occurrence that was out of your control. Maybe a fire destroyed your building, or a hurricane caused you to lose power. But, it’s just as important to think about the tech side
- [Essentials for your new Start Up](https://bertmartinez.com/essentials-for-your-new-start-up/) - There are many reasons that people will choose to start their own businesses. It could be that they have a product or service that they believe will change the world, or they simply don’t like working for other people. Every situation is unique when it comes to mapping out the plan to launch a new
- [How to Win Over Clients with Your Startup Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-win-over-clients-with-your-startup-business/) - When your business is new, no one really knows much about it or what it has to offer. They might also be hesitant to give your business a chance because you’re still an unknown entity and don’t have a track record to back you up. That’s why impressing and winning over those first clients early
- [4 Things the Pandemic Has Taught Businesses About Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/4-things-the-pandemic-has-taught-businesses-about-marketing/) - The 2020 Coronavirus pandemic will go down in history as one of the worst health events to hit the world. Business operations are struggling to deal with the economic impact of the pandemic. On the other hand, the pandemic has brought with it lessons about business marketing and the importance of becoming an authority in
- [Should Your Business Be Smarter About Storage And Inventory?](https://bertmartinez.com/should-your-business-be-smarter-about-storage-and-inventory/) - The physical resources that your business relies on depends on more than just the money necessary to buy them. You also need space to store them. If your business is running out of space or having trouble managing different types of inventory, then the tips below are designed to help you. These tips can answer
- [Money Management in 2020](https://bertmartinez.com/money-management-in-2020/) - When you become an adult, you quickly learn about money management. Whether or not you had been taught about managing your money by your parents, you will soon learn the hard way what happens if you spend your entire paycheck on one night out! The lessons we learn in these formative years help us out
- [Meet Billionaire Philip Anschutz](https://bertmartinez.com/meet-billionaire-philip-anschutz/) - The wildly popular Coachella music festival has been postponed to October because of the coronavirus outbreak, Goldenvoice, the festival's promoter, said in a statement emailed to Business Insider. The festival, which typically takes places over two weekends in April in Indio, California, has been moved to October 9 to 11 and October 16 to 18.
- [Grant Cardone Being Sued For Securities Violations](https://bertmartinez.com/grant-cardone-being-sued-for-securities-violations/)
- [5 Ways Driving in Europe is Different from Driving in the U.S.](https://bertmartinez.com/5-ways-driving-in-europe-is-different-from-driving-in-the-u-s/) - The pandemic may have dramatically hindered tourism for 2020, but it’s not likely that international travel will be suspended indefinitely. As more and more countries get a handle on COVID-19 infections and more and more businesses rally around the implementation and maintenance of additional safety precautions, there’s little doubt that people will again start venturing
- [X1 Card, the Credit Card Based on Your Income Instead of Your Credit Score](https://bertmartinez.com/x1-card-the-credit-card-based-on-your-income-instead-of-your-credit-score/) - A FICO Score is a three-digit number based on the information in your credit reports. It helps lenders determine how likely you are to repay a loan. This, in turn, affects how much you can borrow, how many months you have to repay, and how much it will cost (the interest rate). There are many
- [Is Your Business As Protected As You Think?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-your-business-as-protected-as-you-think/) - Building a business takes time, effort, dedication, and a lot of money. It’s something you pour your heart and soul into in the hopes that it will actually work out. When you think about it, starting a business is a bit of a risk. The stats are a bit ridiculous, with 60% of new businesses
- [Drop Shipping For Beginners: The Ultimate Concise Guide](https://bertmartinez.com/drop-shipping-for-beginners-the-ultimate-concise-guide/) - Imagine selling a product to your customers that you neither make nor stock. The only part of the process you are involved in is the transaction and getting paid. That is precisely what drop shipping is, and you can make some serious money from it. Find out how below. Pick your area First of all,
- [Becoming A Professional Driver: Everything You Need To Know](https://bertmartinez.com/becoming-a-professional-driver-everything-you-need-to-know/) - Becoming a professional driver can take many forms. Perhaps you’re a young person looking to kickstart your career, or maybe you’re part-way through your working life, and looking for a change! Being a driver is much more than meets the eye; it takes dedication, skill and patience. But what does being a professional driver actually
- [5 Tips to Boost Your Business Confidence](https://bertmartinez.com/5-tips-to-boost-your-business-confidence/) - As of 2020, there are an estimated 582 million entrepreneurs all over the world. If you decide to start your own business, chances are you’re passionate about a specific idea, product, or because you have a certain skill set that you think will lead you to success. Unfortunately, you may not have the skills you
- [7 Simple Tips For Shooting Selfie Videos On Your Own](https://bertmartinez.com/7-simple-tips-for-shooting-selfie-videos-on-your-own/) - How many times have you said, "today is the day I’ll shoot that video" … And how many times have you decided, “Hmm… maybe I’ll do it tomorrow.” 🙋‍♀️*Raises their own hand*🙋‍ Shooting a video with help is hard enough, shooting a selfie video on your own can be overwhelming, but we’re here to remove
- [How to Reach Out to People You Don't Know…Yet](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-reach-out-to-people-you-dont-knowyet/) - A healthy network is a growing network. When an opportunity to connect with someone new presents itself, don’t hesitate to take it. When connecting with new individuals, your approach matters. The tone you strike and method you use can make the difference between an annoying cold-call that’s rebuffed and a valued new colleague. The most
- [Our Guide To The Perfect Personalised Gifts For Your Loved Ones During Isolation](https://bertmartinez.com/our-guide-to-the-perfect-personalised-gifts-for-your-loved-ones-during-isolation/) - Isolation has been tough on many of us as we are beginning our 13th week in some form of lockdown measure. But with some small changes to lockdown measures such as the re-opening of shops, there are still many that are either shielding or are too vulnerable to leave the house. But with the gift
- [8 Reasons for Businesses to Embrace Big Data](https://bertmartinez.com/8-reasons-for-businesses-to-embrace-big-data/) - All companies, both small and large, need to be able to make smart business decisions each day in order to compete with more established competitors. Yet, many are making the huge mistake of ignoring big data, which could help them to make more informed choices, increase their revenue and dominate their market. It doesn’t matter
- [CARES Act and SBA 7(a) Small Interruption Loans](https://bertmartinez.com/cares-act-and-sba-7a-small-interruption-loans/) - On Friday, March 27th, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) into law. This new law will enhance the SBA - Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program to provide much-needed aid to small businesses and nonprofit organizations during this challenging time to cover operational costs including payroll and
- [3 Tips on How To Get Rid of Junk in Your Closet](https://bertmartinez.com/3-tips-on-how-to-get-rid-of-junk-in-your-closet/) - Sort Set aside some time. If your closet is large, or even small but packed to the gills, you may need to set aside half of a weekend day. When you're ready, have several boxes or bags ready. Take everything out. You could do this by sections, but you'd need to repeat all sorting steps
- [Your Productivity, Made Better](https://bertmartinez.com/your-productivity-made-better/) - Stronger. Faster. Better. Longer… Well actually let’s talk shorter. We want to reduce the number of working hours that you do. However, it’s not that we want you to clock off early and leave your work unfinished. It should be that you can clock off early because you have finished everything you need to. There
- [5 Budgeting Tips For Australian SMEs](https://bertmartinez.com/5-budgeting-tips-for-australian-smes/) - If you’re starting a business in Australia, you’re in good company. According to a recent report in WIRED magazine, by 2018 there was a huge increase in venture capital investments in the Aussie startup scene, with totals reaching a record US$630 million. And apparently, although Sydney remains a magnet for investors, the Melbourne scene is
- [Why Do We Need Business Process Automation?](https://bertmartinez.com/why-do-we-need-business-process-automation/) - In business, one of the most critical factors that drives revenue growth and customer satisfaction is business process automation. To stand a high chance of gaining a growing portfolio of happy consumers who rely on you, then it’s imperative that you set up some form of business process automation system. Why do businesses need this?
- [Differences Between the SAT and ACT: Which is Right For You?](https://bertmartinez.com/differences-between-the-sat-and-act-which-is-right-for-you/) - Are you on track to graduate from high school with good grades? If you're getting ready to apply to colleges to pursue your higher education, you need to complete any tests and activities that your top schools might require for admittance. The SAT, a widely accepted exam for college admission, should take you smoothly through
- [Common Difficulties You May Face As A Growing Business](https://bertmartinez.com/common-difficulties-you-may-face-as-a-growing-business/) - If you’re one of the many business owners out there tackling a multitude of tasks that either need doing single-handed or indeed as part of an effective team, even if you’re a consultant helping said business owners in areas outside their expertise, each type of business owner, with their companies, there will face problems around
- [How To Ensure You're Hiring The Right Person For The Job](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-ensure-youre-hiring-the-right-person-for-the-job/) - Pexels As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to build a team that can help you achieve your goals on time. The reality is that hiring is challenging, and finding the right candidate isn’t always an easy process. Luckily, there are steps you can take that will help to ensure that you’re hiring the right
- [Give Your Employees More Time Off - Here's Why](https://bertmartinez.com/give-your-employees-more-time-off-heres-why/) - Do you currently give your employees as much time off as the law tells you to and no extra? The fact is if you’re only ever giving your employees the bare minimum, and no other reason to stay loyal to you, you’re probably going to have a fast turnaround. The fact is, you should be
- [The Five Pillars Of Good Customer Service](https://bertmartinez.com/the-five-pillars-of-good-customer-service/) - Great customer service is imperative for the success of any business and can make the difference between a customer choosing you over a competitor. Over the years, delivering good customer service has become both easier and more difficult thanks to the advent of technology, but overall the basic five principles remain the same. Whether a
- [3 Signs that You’re Probably Being Lied To](https://bertmartinez.com/3-signs-that-youre-probably-being-lied-to/) - Let’s start with this: when it comes to bending (or sometimes breaking) the truth, not all fibs are created equal. For example, parents who urge their kids to behave lest they end up on Santa’s “naughty” list aren’t racking up bad karma. And when a friend or colleague croons about their major weight loss achievement
- [Engaging Employees as a Newly-Appointed Manager](https://bertmartinez.com/engaging-employees-as-a-newly-appointed-manager/) - If you’ve recently been put in a position of leadership, then we’ve got the perfect article for you. In this post, we’re going to take a look at how you can engage employees as a newly-appointed manager. Whether you know your colleagues or have just been accepted into a new job, you’ll find these tips
- [Why Online Learning Is The Next Big Thing For Go Getters](https://bertmartinez.com/why-online-learning-is-the-next-big-thing-for-go-getters/) - Online learning. You’ve probably heard of it. Maybe you even considered it at one point. There are pros and cons to learning online, and some people have reservations over learning this way. After all, won’t it be harder? Will you ever get it done if you can simply pick it up and put it
- [How To Reduce The Environmental Impact Of Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-reduce-the-environmental-impact-of-your-business/) - Image Credit Pixabay.com License CC0 Every person living on this planet should be concerned about climate change. Whether you are a world leader, a business person, or an individual, every one of us has a responsibility to do something about the way that we go about our daily lives and the impact that we have
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- [Improving Productivity With Network Switches](https://bertmartinez.com/improving-productivity-with-network-switches/) - https://pixabay.com/photos/office-desk-computer-technology-1834294/ Is your business operating as efficiently as possible? Do you think your staff could be more productive? Are you looking for a way to lower your outgoing costs? Do you want to enhance your level of customer service? The answer to all of these questions should be yes. After all, what business doesn’t
- [How to Successfully Trade Forex](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-successfully-trade-forex/) - It is common amongst entrepreneurs to turn to investments as a means of supplementing your income. Foreign exchange, or forex, tends to be a particularly popular trading choice amongst businesspeople. The allure of forex is easy to understand. The foreign exchange markets are open almost constantly, making it an ideal option for those who have to manoeuvre
- [The Best Ways to Save Money on Your Office Space](https://bertmartinez.com/the-best-ways-to-save-money-on-your-office-space/) - When you are running a business, there can sometimes be unforeseen situations that can cause you to rethink your carefully constructed strategy. Part of this could be the need to downsize or to cut costs to prevent losing valuable members of staff. When these situations arise, you have to think of all available options
- [House Passes Bill Making Animal Cruelty a Federal Felony](https://bertmartinez.com/house-passes-bill-making-animal-cruelty-a-federal-felony/) - According to ABC news The House unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act on Tuesday afternoon, which criminalizes certain acts of animal cruelty. The bi-partisan bill was introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate. "This bill sends a clear message
- [Effective Ways To Improve Cash Flow In Business](https://bertmartinez.com/effective-ways-to-improve-cash-flow-in-business/) - From Pexels - CC0 License Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. A positive cash flow is a good sign, indicating growth and success, while a negative one suggests a problem. Failing to manage cash flow can cause many issues, such as difficulties securing finance. In the very worst cases, a negative cash
- [4 Essential Areas of GDPR Every Business Owner Needs to Know](https://bertmartinez.com/4-essential-areas-of-gdpr-every-business-owner-needs-to-know/) - Managing a business comes with many positive and, at times, negative connotations. There are ups, downs and everything in between, but stability is achievable. An essential factor in the business world is keeping up with the varying rules and regulations. Seeing as fines are a harsh reality in the business world, doing all that you
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- [Is Being An Entrepreneur All About The Individual?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-being-an-entrepreneur-all-about-the-individual/) - Many people fantasize about being an entrepreneur one day. Many could-be entrepreneurs anticipate unlimited funds, an ability to work on their own terms 24 hours a day, and a company that is designed purely on their own style and imaginings. However, it sometimes isn’t as easy as one might suspect. Being entrepreneur isn’t always a
- [Top Website and Marketing Trends for 2017](https://bertmartinez.com/top-website-and-marketing-trends-for-2017/) - All businesses should stay on top of website trends. If you don’t, you lose out on your chance to take advantage of new and innovative technologies that can bring in a large and loyal customer base. Similarly, if you don’t update and improve your website at all, then your company looks like they don’t
- [5 Top Tips on Making Your Business Website More User-Friendly](https://bertmartinez.com/5-top-tips-on-making-your-business-website-more-user-friendly/) - While setting up your website is not the most important part of setting up a business, it is certainly one of the key stages. When you first start up a small business, just providing your contact details and creating a basic outlet for customer information will usually suffice for a while to get our business
- [Key Steps to Financial Security in Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/key-steps-to-financial-security-in-your-business/) - Whether you’re a fledgling business at the beginning of a long road towards financial success, or an established heavyweight that’s been around for decades, you’ll be looking to secure your assets and investments in order to guarantee a brighter future. Financial security means you’ll have planned your business finances in such a way as to
- [What Makes a Business Successful?](https://bertmartinez.com/what-makes-a-business-successful/) - It is the question which is on the tip of many entrepreneurs’ tongues, and the answer is a complex one given that no two businesses are the same. To make a business succeed, you first need the passion and motivation to see it through. It’s certainly not easy, so here are three general attributes
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- [Is sports team sponsorship right for your business?](https://bertmartinez.com/is-sports-team-sponsorship-right-for-your-business/) - Sport sponsorship is a multi-billion-dollar industry in its’ own right and the lifeblood for the full spectrum of sports clubs, from the humblest soccer club run for children to the Super Bowl winners. In its’ ‘purest’ form, sponsorship keeps clubs alive, providing kits and equipment, as well as cash for ground maintenance. At the top
- [4 Signs It's Time To Grow Your Business](https://bertmartinez.com/4-signs-its-time-to-grow-your-business/) - Even the largest businesses in the world started out small. Take Amazon and Apple, for example; two multi-million dollar companies that began life in garage space. Their founders took the opportunity to grow their business when they could, and as you already know, experienced great success. So, what about you? You might be running a
- [Mastering the Basics in Business with Dean Karrel](https://bertmartinez.com/mastering-the-basics-in-business-with-dean-karrel/) - Dean Karrel is Career and Executive Coach. He is the instructor of twelve courses with over 600,000 views available on LinkedIn Learning and has also been in senior leadership positions for more than three decades with major global publishing companies, including 22 years at Wiley. Grab https://amzn.to/2LeVzyP SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR LATEST
- [Great Mondays with Josh Levine](https://bertmartinez.com/great-mondays-with-josh-levine/) - Josh Levine is the best-selling author of Great Mondays: How to Design a Company Culture Employees Love. As a brand strategist and highly sought-after speaker, he has helped build culture-driven brands for a wide range of organizations--including Silicon Valley heavy hitters and prominent nonprofits. Great Mondays has won numerous awards, including Best Culture Books of
- [How to Avoid Making a Bad Hire](https://bertmartinez.com/how-to-avoid-making-a-bad-hire/) - Most business decisions don’t carry a lot of weight. In fact, many professionals make small mistakes every day that don’t seriously harm their company, their clients, or anyone at all. However, there are a few serious business actions that will have a big effect on a small company’s viability. Unsurprisingly, staffing choices are sure to
- [Go Slow to Grow Fast with Brent R. Tilson](https://bertmartinez.com/go-slow-to-grow-fast-with-brent-r-tilson/) - Brent R. Tilson, author of Go Slow to Grow Fast: How to Keep Your Company Driving and Thriving in a Fast-Paced Competitive Business World (www.brentrtilson.com), is the founder and CEO of Tilson HR, a national professional employer organization providing a comprehensive suite of business solutions to help businesses grow and thrive. Tilson is a nationally
- [Irrational Loyalty with Deb Gabor](https://bertmartinez.com/irrational-loyalty-with-deb-gabor/) - Deb Gabor is the author of Irrational Loyalty, every organization faces a serious branding disaster. Think of United Airlines, Wells Fargo, Uber, and other companies whose tribulations made front page news., please visit www.solmarketing.com and connect with Deb on Twitter, @deb_sol. Get Deb's book: https://amzn.to/2Kuj1Jk SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR LATEST EPISODES
- [Persuade: The 7 Empowering Laws of the SalesMaker with Scott Hogle](https://bertmartinez.com/persuade-the-7-empowering-laws-of-the-salesmaker-with-scott-hogle/) - Scott Hogle is a dynamic communicator, able to customize his presentation for Marketplace Leaders, Sales Organizations, & C-Suite Executives. He is not a retired expert, but a daily practitioner who sells and leads for one of the largest broadcasters in the world. Scott is a Best-Selling author, speaker, 25+ year Broadcast Executive, a Senior Vice President
- [Boosting Facebook Posts is Bad, Here's Why ...](https://bertmartinez.com/boosting-facebook-posts-is-bad-heres-why/) - Facebook, in order to increase their profits, has made it increasingly difficult for businesses and brands to get their content in front of their target audiences. To counteract this, businesses now allocate budget for promoting content to ensure their Facebook posts reach their people. So boosting posts and content has become a regular activity for
- [Hernani Alves - Three Leadership Secrets to Win Hearts and Maximize Performance](https://bertmartinez.com/hernani-alves-three-leadership-secrets-to-win-hearts-and-maximize-performance/) - Hernani Alves is an author, international speaker, and consultant with over twenty years of business experience as a Sales Executive for a $3 Billion Company. In his book, Balanced Accountability: Three Leadership Secrets to Win Hearts and Maximize Performance, Hernani delivers a newfound clarity on the case for accountability and the steps organizations, and individuals need to
- [William Ammerman - AI: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!](https://bertmartinez.com/william-ammerman-ai-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/) - William Ammerman is Executive Vice President of Digital Media at Engaged Media Inc. and has previously held leadership positions with Tribune Media, Hearst Television, and Capitol Broadcasting. Over his career, he has managed digital advertising for hundreds of television stations and their websites, mobile apps, and connected platforms. He is the author of The Invisible Brand:
- [7 Factors to Success that Business Owners Forget About](https://bertmartinez.com/7-factors-to-success-that-business-owners-forget-about/) - If you’ve ever woken up in a cold sweat to realize that you’ve forgotten to do something very important –– lock the front door, pick up your sister at soccer practice, finish a 12-page paper –– then you know just how horrifying that sort of realization can be. Yet, the reality is that people are,
- [Expanding Your Horizons.](https://bertmartinez.com/expanding-your-horizons/) - There are a few things in your life that will open up the whole world to you. There is no wrong time in your life to carve a new path out for yourself. Expanding your horizons is about becoming more well rounded, about growing and changing as an individual - becoming maybe even a better
- [Chad Sanderson - How to Sell More Faster!](https://bertmartinez.com/chad-sanderson-how-to-sell-more-faster/) - Today’s guest is Chad Sanderson, who has been leading sales and marketing teams to success for over 20 years through his proven and predictable ValueSelling Framework. Chad, who has been named a Top 5 Emerging Training Leader, has worked in sales, built teams, and achieved targets -- both within organizations and as a consultant. He cuts
- [Kris Oestergaard - Innovating Your Company's Future](https://bertmartinez.com/kris-oestergaard-innovating-your-companys-future/) - Kris Oestergaard is a sought after speaker, facilitator, researcher and expert on innovation in legacy organizations, corporate cultures and exponential organizations. He is co-founder and Chief Learning and Innovation Officer of SingularityU Nordic, a collaborative venture with Singularity University in Silicon Valley. SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR LATEST EPISODES
- [CashorTrade CEO and Founder: Brando Rich](https://bertmartinez.com/cashortrade-ceo-and-founder-brando-rich/) - CashorTrade has members in every state in the nation and more than 20 countries around the globe. In June alone, they gained over 6,200 new members and had days with over 1200 posts. Raised $400K in their first round of fundraising, announced in May. June 11: Launched Trader’s Protection™, their 100% money-back guarantee. Previously the
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- [Grant Parr - How To Prepare For The Unknown](https://bertmartinez.com/grant-parr-how-to-prepare-for-the-unknown/) - Grant Parr is a mental sports performance coach and the author of The Next One Up Mindset: How To Prepare For The Unknown. Parr owns and runs GAMEFACE PERFORMANCE, a consulting firm that enhances mental skills for athletes and coaches. A recruiter and sales leader in the corporate world for 17 years, he now works
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- [How Employers Can Invest in Their Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/how-employers-can-invest-in-their-employees/) - With the pressure of running a business every day, employers can sometimes let employee investment slip. As a business owner or manager, it can be hard to juggle when focusing on other areas of the business. However, your employees are detrimental to any business and make up one of the key driving forces. You simply
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- [Henry James - Will cryptocurrency or Facebook’s GlobalCoin replace the USD?](https://bertmartinez.com/henry-james-will-cryptocurrency-or-facebooks-globalcoin-replace-the-usd/) - As a co-founder of Fincross International, Mr. James provides support to the strategic development of the firm in harmony with the evolving landscape of the digital asset markets and the core infrastructure that underpins these markets and connects them to the traditional financial system. Mr. James supports the firm’s business development and marketing strategy and is a vocal spokesperson
- [The Top 8 Reasons Why Most Small Businesses Fail](https://bertmartinez.com/the-top-8-reasons-why-most-small-businesses-fail/) - Starting your own company is notoriously difficult. Indeed, aspiring entrepreneurs are probably already aware that half of all small businesses fail within their first five years. Worse, only a third of small businesses reach their tenth anniversary. Any way you slice it, the statistics make for grim reading. On the plus side, new business owners
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- [Phuong Uyen Tran - Competing with Giants](https://bertmartinez.com/phuong-uyen-tran-competing-with-giants/) - Phuong Uyen Tran, author of Competing with Giants (https://www.thp.com.vn/en/), is deputy CEO of the THP Beverage Group, a leading beverage company in Vietnam that was founded by her father. She is responsible for the company’s marketing, public relations, and CSR programs nationally and across Vietnam’s 63 provinces. She also leads THP’s international marketing programs across 16
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- [Steven Blue - Transforming Rust Belt Companies For The Future](https://bertmartinez.com/steven-blue-transforming-rust-belt-companies-for-the-future/) - Steven L. Blue is an internationally-recognized expert in transforming rust-belt companies into high-tech powerhouses using his proven formula of igniting Innovational Potential®. He is the CEO of Miller Ingenuity, a manufacturer of world-class safety products for the rail industry, dynamic keynote speaker and best-selling author. Steven's book: https://amzn.to/2DEg4Ck SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR
- [Corey Phelps - How to Solve Your Company's Biggest Problems](https://bertmartinez.com/corey-phelps-how-to-solve-your-companys-biggest-problems/) - Corey Phelps is a Professor of Strategy and Associate Dean of Executive Education at McGill University. For over 20 years, he’s led award-winning research on corporate growth and traveled the world as a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and consultant, helping organizations become more innovative and strategically agile. He is the co-author of Cracked It!: How
- [Teddy Roosevelt's Best Speech: Why The Critics Don't Count](https://bertmartinez.com/teddy-roosevelts-best-speech-why-the-critics-dont-count/) - It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who
- [Free Review](https://bertmartinez.com/free/) - Free Marketing Review With Bert Martinez From The Desk Of Bert Martinez Phoenix, AZ Dear Business Owner, I'm looking forward to helping you for free, please choose a time that works for you
- [John Matheson - Getting Commercial Loan Success Fast!](https://bertmartinez.com/john-matheson-getting-commercial-loan-success-fast/) - John Matheson is the CEO of Commercial Loan Success, a software and education platform designed to help small business owners and property investors make more informed financing decisions. Using the Commercial Loan Success loan analysis software platform, commercial borrowers and commercial lenders are able to communicate more effectively, and borrowers are able to approach commercial
- [Branding Your Business with Natasha Davis](https://bertmartinez.com/branding-your-business-with-natasha-davis/) - Natasha E. Davis is helping professionals, entrepreneurs and companies create brands that have a lasting impact. As a certified expert in email & social media marketing, speaker and trainer, she thrives on fixing problems and eliminating frustrations for companies and their executives. Over the past 10 years, Natasha has worked with several companies and professionals
- [Terry Lammers - Selling or Buying A Business](https://bertmartinez.com/terry-lammers-selling-or-buying-a-business/) - Today’s guest is Terry Lammers, Certified Valuation Analyst and co-founder/managing member of Innovative Business Advisors. Terry now works with his team at Innovative Business Advisors to guide current business owners looking to sell their enterprises, as well as prospective buyers. SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR LATEST EPISODES
- [Juliana Stancampiano - Creating Radical Outcomes!](https://bertmartinez.com/juliana-stancampiano-creating-radical-outcomes/) - Juliana Stancampiano, author of RADICAL OUTCOMES, is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Oxygen. For more than fifteen years, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, both in them and for them. Her firm’s clients include Microsoft, DXC, Delta Dental (of WA), Starbucks, F5 Networks, Avaya, and Western Digital, among others. Her in-depth experience, along with
- [A Proactive Guide For Businesses On The Verge Of Bankruptcy](https://bertmartinez.com/a-proactive-guide-for-businesses-on-the-verge-of-bankruptcy/) - If your business is on the verge of bankruptcy, you are not alone. You know how hard it is to compete with giant corporations to win over even the smallest of market shares. You know how hard it is to rank high in the Google search listings. You know that studies say that eight out
- [Marisa Corcoran: Copywriting Conversion Secrets with Bert Martinez](https://bertmartinez.com/marisa-corcoran-copywriting-conversion-secrets-with-bert-martinez/) - Thank you for watching this fun and very informative interview with Marisa Corcoran :) If you want to sell more stuff this is a must watch episode! Marisa is a copywriter and messaging strategist that helps coaches + creatives craft compelling copy that attracts clients, makes money, and creates a massive movement online. She's
- [Michael G. Goldsby - Entrepreneurship the Disney Way](https://bertmartinez.com/michael-g-goldsby-entrepreneurship-the-disney-way/) - Michael G. Goldsby is the Chief Entrepreneurship Officer and Stoops Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at Ball State University, USA. Rob Mathews is the Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise at Ball State University, USA. Their new book is Entrepreneurship the Disney Way. Get the book: https://amzn.to/2WFqbO7 SHARE THIS POST SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO OUR
- [Steve Gordon - How You Can Become The Unstoppable CEO](https://bertmartinez.com/steve-gordon-how-you-can-become-the-unstoppable-ceo/) - Steve Gordon is a bestselling author, the founder of The Unstoppable CEO, and the host of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast and has written over 400 articles on marketing for service businesses. Through his firm, he helps service business entrepreneurs create leveraged marketing systems so they can spend less time on business development, and more time
- [Taking The True Next Step As A Firm](https://bertmartinez.com/taking-the-true-next-step-as-a-firm/) - Pexels Most businesses, even those that might not have expected it, will often find themselves in one of three positions. Either sustainable survivability, which is what everyone hopes for, slow struggle and failure, or absolute growth and celebration. Of course, one can easily lead into the other depending on the output of a business and
- [Alex Zlatin - Successful Corporate Culture](https://bertmartinez.com/alex-zlatin-successful-corporate-culture/) - Alex Zlatin, the author of the book Responsible Dental Ownership has more than 10 years of management experience before he accepted the position as CEO of Maxident, a company that makes a dental practice management software. His company helps struggling dental professionals to take control of their practices and reach the next level of success with
- [Jennifer Dawn - Best Planner Ever!](https://bertmartinez.com/jennifer-dawn-best-planner-ever/) - Jennifer Dawn is the owner of Jennifer Dawn Coaching and founder of Best Planner Ever. She’s a serial entrepreneur who has grown two multi-million dollar businesses, loves working on her third now, is a frequent speaker, and author. She serves entrepreneurs through private business coaching helping them to clarify their business vision, refine their goals, and
- [Jeff Holler - Bigger Than Business: Real-World Stories of Business Owners Living Their Purpose](https://bertmartinez.com/jeff-holler-bigger-than-business-real-world-stories-of-business-owners-living-their-purpose/) - Jeff is an author, speaker, founder and owner of The Capital Chart Room LTD, a firm in Fort Worth, Texas serving some of the most successful entrepreneurs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Jeff and his team help their clients achieve clarity in the many complex choices they encounter in their business and personal planning. What
- [Martyn R. Lewis - How Customers Buy...& Why They Don't](https://bertmartinez.com/martyn-r-lewis-how-customers-buy-why-they-dont/) - Martyn R. Lewis - author of How Customers Buy...& Why They Don't--is an entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, and authority on business strategy, sales and marketing processes. Lewis is CEO and Founder of Market-Partners, Inc, an organization which helps companies accelerate revenue based on the customer buying journey. He consults with selling teams across a broad-range of
- [Secrets of Writing a Successful SWOT Analysis](https://bertmartinez.com/secrets-of-writing-a-successful-swot-analysis/) - What you don't know about your market can kill your business. Companies like Sears and Blockbuster at one point dominated their market have died and disappeared. There are countless reasons that a brand might die, from failing to keep up with market trends to a shift in the market landscape. Even brands that enjoy decades of
- [Rob Jolles - Why People Don't Believe You](https://bertmartinez.com/rob-jolles-why-people-dont-believe-you/) - Rob Jolles is a sought-after speaker who teaches, entertains, and inspires audiences worldwide. His live programs in and around the world have enabled him to amass a client list of Fortune 500 companies including Toyota, Disney, GE, a dozen universities, and over 50 financial institutions. He is the best-selling author of six books, including his latest
- [Doug Hall - Driving Eureka!](https://bertmartinez.com/doug-hall-driving-eureka/) - Doug Hall is an inventor, researcher, educator and craft whiskey maker. He is founder of the Eureka! Ranch, Innovation Engineering Institute and Brain Brew Custom Whisk(e)y. He’s been named one of America’s top innovation experts by Inc. magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Dateline NBC, CNBC, CIO Magazine and the CBC. His new book, Driving Eureka!
- [Consultant Stanley Chao Selling to China](https://bertmartinez.com/consultant-stanley-chao-selling-to-china/) - Chao is the Managing Director of All In Consulting, a Los Angeles based consulting firm assisting Western companies in their Asia and China business developments. He is also the author of “Selling to China: A Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses.” Chao holds degrees from Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the

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- [Sponsor](https://bertmartinez.com/category/sponsor/)
- [Sponsorship](https://bertmartinez.com/category/sponsorship/)
- [Facebook](https://bertmartinez.com/category/facebook/)
- [Video](https://bertmartinez.com/category/video/)
- [Online](https://bertmartinez.com/category/online/)
- [Success](https://bertmartinez.com/category/success/)
- [Investment](https://bertmartinez.com/category/investment/)
- [Goals](https://bertmartinez.com/category/goals/)
- [NLP](https://bertmartinez.com/category/nlp/)
- [Innovation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/innovation/)
- [Engineering](https://bertmartinez.com/category/engineering/)
- [Accounting](https://bertmartinez.com/category/accounting/)
- [Motivation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/motivation/)
- [Brand](https://bertmartinez.com/category/brand/)
- [Viral](https://bertmartinez.com/category/viral/)
- [Manager](https://bertmartinez.com/category/manager/)
- [Budget](https://bertmartinez.com/category/budget/)
- [Skills](https://bertmartinez.com/category/skills/)
- [International](https://bertmartinez.com/category/international/)
- [Commerce](https://bertmartinez.com/category/commerce/)
- [Values](https://bertmartinez.com/category/values/)
- [Blog](https://bertmartinez.com/category/blog/)
- [ Budget](https://bertmartinez.com/category/budget-2/)
- [ Social Media](https://bertmartinez.com/category/social-media-2/)
- [Customers](https://bertmartinez.com/category/customers/)
- [Energy](https://bertmartinez.com/category/energy/)
- [Money](https://bertmartinez.com/category/money/)
- [Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/category/employees/)
- [Encouragement](https://bertmartinez.com/category/encouragement/)
- [Internet](https://bertmartinez.com/category/internet/)
- [Finance](https://bertmartinez.com/category/finance/)
- [Lifestyle](https://bertmartinez.com/category/lifestyle/)
- [Savings](https://bertmartinez.com/category/savings/)
- [Interview](https://bertmartinez.com/category/interview/)
- [Entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/category/entrepreneurs/)
- [Law](https://bertmartinez.com/category/law/)
- [News](https://bertmartinez.com/category/news/)
- [Podcast](https://bertmartinez.com/category/podcast/)
- [Linkedin](https://bertmartinez.com/category/linkedin/)
- [Lead Generation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/lead-generation/)
- [Negotiation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/negotiation/)
- [ecommerce](https://bertmartinez.com/category/ecommerce/)
- [career](https://bertmartinez.com/category/career/)
- [mind set](https://bertmartinez.com/category/mind-set/)
- [Branding](https://bertmartinez.com/category/branding/)
- [Advertsing](https://bertmartinez.com/category/advertsing/)
- [stocks](https://bertmartinez.com/category/stocks/)
- [Home](https://bertmartinez.com/category/home/)
- [Gifts](https://bertmartinez.com/category/gifts/)
- [Fitness](https://bertmartinez.com/category/fitness/)
- [Culture](https://bertmartinez.com/category/culture/)
- [Retail](https://bertmartinez.com/category/retail/)
- [Hotel](https://bertmartinez.com/category/hotel/)
- [Strike](https://bertmartinez.com/category/strike/)
- [Business Deal](https://bertmartinez.com/category/business-deal/)
- [Weather](https://bertmartinez.com/category/weather/)
- [Heat Index](https://bertmartinez.com/category/heat-index/)
- [Sports](https://bertmartinez.com/category/sports/)
- [Food Industry](https://bertmartinez.com/category/food-industry/)
- [Economy](https://bertmartinez.com/category/economy/)
- [Commercial](https://bertmartinez.com/category/commercial/)
- [Real Estate](https://bertmartinez.com/category/real-estate/)
- [Banking](https://bertmartinez.com/category/banking/)
- [Labor](https://bertmartinez.com/category/labor/)
- [Cyber Attack](https://bertmartinez.com/category/cyber-attack/)
- [Housing](https://bertmartinez.com/category/housing/)
- [Generosity](https://bertmartinez.com/category/generosity/)
- [Inflation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/inflation/)
- [Education](https://bertmartinez.com/category/education/)
- [Fashion](https://bertmartinez.com/category/fashion/)
- [Brands](https://bertmartinez.com/category/brands/)
- [Celebrity](https://bertmartinez.com/category/celebrity/)
- [Cryptocurrency](https://bertmartinez.com/category/cryptocurrency/)
- [Fraud](https://bertmartinez.com/category/fraud/)
- [Mortgage](https://bertmartinez.com/category/mortgage/)
- [Transportation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/transportation/)
- [Supreme Court](https://bertmartinez.com/category/supreme-court/)
- [Apple](https://bertmartinez.com/category/apple/)
- [Electricity](https://bertmartinez.com/category/electricity/)
- [Commodity](https://bertmartinez.com/category/commodity/)
- [Climate](https://bertmartinez.com/category/climate/)
- [Holiday](https://bertmartinez.com/category/holiday/)
- [Funds](https://bertmartinez.com/category/funds/)
- [Binance](https://bertmartinez.com/category/binance/)
- [Lawsuit](https://bertmartinez.com/category/lawsuit/)
- [Flexible Work](https://bertmartinez.com/category/flexible-work/)
- [Climate Change](https://bertmartinez.com/category/climate-change/)
- [Film Industry](https://bertmartinez.com/category/film-industry/)
- [Entertainment Industry](https://bertmartinez.com/category/entertainment-industry/)
- [Google](https://bertmartinez.com/category/google/)
- [Artificial intelligence](https://bertmartinez.com/category/artificial-intelligence/)
- [Gaming](https://bertmartinez.com/category/gaming/)
- [Airline](https://bertmartinez.com/category/airline/)
- [Medical Field](https://bertmartinez.com/category/medical-field/)
- [Automobile](https://bertmartinez.com/category/automobile/)
- [TELECOM](https://bertmartinez.com/category/telecom/)
- [Retirement](https://bertmartinez.com/category/retirement/)
- [Gender Equality](https://bertmartinez.com/category/gender-equality/)
- [Compensation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/compensation/)
- [Court ruling](https://bertmartinez.com/category/court-ruling/)
- [Civil Rights](https://bertmartinez.com/category/civil-rights/)
- [Vacation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/vacation/)
- [Insurance](https://bertmartinez.com/category/insurance/)
- [Airlines](https://bertmartinez.com/category/airlines/)
- [Fugitive](https://bertmartinez.com/category/fugitive/)
- [Women](https://bertmartinez.com/category/women/)
- [Pandemic](https://bertmartinez.com/category/pandemic/)
- [Society](https://bertmartinez.com/category/society/)
- [Crime](https://bertmartinez.com/category/crime/)
- [Tragedy](https://bertmartinez.com/category/tragedy/)
- [Pollution](https://bertmartinez.com/category/pollution/)
- [Unemployment](https://bertmartinez.com/category/unemployment/)
- [Crisis](https://bertmartinez.com/category/crisis/)
- [Celerity](https://bertmartinez.com/category/celerity/)
- [Mental Health](https://bertmartinez.com/category/mental-health/)
- [Election](https://bertmartinez.com/category/election/)
- [Bankruptcy](https://bertmartinez.com/category/bankruptcy/)
- [Exportation](https://bertmartinez.com/category/exportation/)
- [Automotive](https://bertmartinez.com/category/automotive/)
- [Management](https://bertmartinez.com/category/management/)
- [Remote Work](https://bertmartinez.com/category/remote-work/)
- [Voting](https://bertmartinez.com/category/voting/)
- [Employers](https://bertmartinez.com/category/employers/)
- [Telemarketing](https://bertmartinez.com/category/telemarketing/)
- [Debt](https://bertmartinez.com/category/debt/)
- [Work Environment](https://bertmartinez.com/category/work-environment/)
- [Mentorship](https://bertmartinez.com/category/mentorship/)
- [Jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/category/jobs/)
- [Consumers](https://bertmartinez.com/category/consumers/)
- [Mindset](https://bertmartinez.com/category/mindset/)
- [Strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/category/strategy/)
- [Guest Article](https://bertmartinez.com/category/guest-article/)
- [Holidays](https://bertmartinez.com/category/holidays/)
- [Scam](https://bertmartinez.com/category/scam/)

## Tags

- [Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business/)
- [Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing/)
- [media](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/media/)
- [social](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social/)
- [business marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-marketing/)
- [digital media](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/digital-media/)
- [facebook](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/facebook/)
- [linkedin](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/linkedin/)
- [marketing agency](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-agency/)
- [marketing company](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-company/)
- [marketing firm](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-firm/)
- [marketing strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-strategy/)
- [marketing through social media](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-through-social-media/)
- [myspace](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/myspace/)
- [online marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/online-marketing/)
- [public relations](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/public-relations/)
- [publicity tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/publicity-tips/)
- [Social Media](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-media/)
- [social media marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-media-marketing/)
- [social networking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-networking/)
- [tv advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/tv-advertising/)
- [build](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/build/)
- [relationships](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/relationships-2/)
- [bert martinez](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/bert-martinez/)
- [business basic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-basic/)
- [business mistakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-mistakes/)
- [sales trainer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-trainer/)
- [barter for business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/barter-for-business/)
- [barter for travel](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/barter-for-travel/)
- [berter](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/berter/)
- [how to barter](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-barter/)
- [sales expert](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-expert/)
- [saving money with barter](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/saving-money-with-barter/)
- [business guru](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-guru/)
- [business mistakes to avoid](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-mistakes-to-avoid/)
- [business success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-success/)
- [houston sales trainer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-sales-trainer/)
- [new york sales trainer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/new-york-sales-trainer/)
- [peak performance strategist](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/peak-performance-strategist/)
- [phoenix sales trainer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/phoenix-sales-trainer/)
- [sales training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-training/)
- [angry creditors](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/angry-creditors/)
- [company’s survival](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/companys-survival/)
- [experience](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/experience/)
- [frightened employees](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/frightened-employees/)
- [nervous board of directors](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/nervous-board-of-directors/)
- [turnaround](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/turnaround/)
- [turnaround recovery](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/turnaround-recovery/)
- [turnaround specialist](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/turnaround-specialist/)
- [wary customers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wary-customers/)
- [business management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-management/)
- [Business Plan](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-plan/)
- [business process](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-process/)
- [business services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-services/)
- [business start up](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-start-up/)
- [business strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-strategy/)
- [Business Systems](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-systems/)
- [businesses in distress](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/businesses-in-distress/)
- [distress businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/distress-businesses/)
- [marketing plan](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-plan/)
- [new business start up](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/new-business-start-up/)
- [Operating without a Business Plan](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/operating-without-a-business-plan/)
- [self employed consultant](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/self-employed-consultant/)
- [Small Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business/)
- [sme business consultants](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sme-business-consultants/)
- [Starting a Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/starting-a-business/)
- [strategic planning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/strategic-planning/)
- [trainee business consultant](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/trainee-business-consultant/)
- [Troubled Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/troubled-business/)
- [turnaround professionals](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/turnaround-professionals/)
- [Medio social](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/medio-social/)
- [social interaction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-interaction/)
- [social media expert](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-media-expert/)
- [social media manager](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-media-manager/)
- [twitter](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/twitter/)
- [buying email list](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/buying-email-list/)
- [Buying Lists](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/buying-lists/)
- [email list](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email-list/)
- [email list growth](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email-list-growth/)
- [Email Marketing Strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email-marketing-strategy/)
- [Analysis and Strategy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/analysis-and-strategy/)
- [business management consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-management-consulting/)
- [Business Plan AssistanceMarket Research](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-plan-assistancemarket-research/)
- [Business Resource Library](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-resource-library/)
- [Cash Management and Budgeting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/cash-management-and-budgeting/)
- [Confidential Experienced Business Consultants](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/confidential-experienced-business-consultants/)
- [DevelopmentSBA and Conventional Loan AssistanceBusiness Check-Up and Analysis](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/developmentsba-and-conventional-loan-assistancebusiness-check-up-and-analysis/)
- [executives](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executives/)
- [grow your business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/grow-your-business/)
- [houston business owners](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-business-owners/)
- [HoustonTrade Program](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houstontrade-program/)
- [Marketing to the Government](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-to-the-government/)
- [Professional Referral Service](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/professional-referral-service/)
- [professionals](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/professionals/)
- [Sales and Marketing Plan](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-and-marketing-plan/)
- [services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/services/)
- [solve problems](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/solve-problems/)
- [sound business decisions](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sound-business-decisions/)
- [start your business and make good](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/start-your-business-and-make-good/)
- [Turnaround Assistance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/turnaround-assistance/)
- [Workshops and Seminars](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/workshops-and-seminars/)
- [advertising mistakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advertising-mistakes/)
- [first colony why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/first-colony-why-advertising-fails/)
- [houston advertising mistakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-advertising-mistakes/)
- [houston sales techniques](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-sales-techniques/)
- [houston why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-why-advertising-fails/)
- [online why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/online-why-advertising-fails/)
- [richmond why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/richmond-why-advertising-fails/)
- [stafford why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/stafford-why-advertising-fails/)
- [sugar land why advertising fails](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sugar-land-why-advertising-fails/)
- [executive training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-training/)
- [marketing training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-training/)
- [retail sales training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/retail-sales-training/)
- [sales coach](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-coach/)
- [sales seminar](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-seminar/)
- [sales tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-tips/)
- [effective use of time](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/effective-use-of-time/)
- [sales management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-management/)
- [time](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/time/)
- [Time Management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/time-management/)
- [entrepreneurial success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/entrepreneurial-success/)
- [financial freedom](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/financial-freedom/)
- [getting rich in sales](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/getting-rich-in-sales/)
- [goal setting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/goal-setting/)
- [learning how to sell](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/learning-how-to-sell/)
- [management training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/management-training/)
- [sales leads](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-leads/)
- [sales strategies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-strategies/)
- [sales techniques](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-techniques/)
- [salesforce motivation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/salesforce-motivation/)
- [Seven Strategies for Sales Success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seven-strategies-for-sales-success/)
- [Strategies for Sales Success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/strategies-for-sales-success/)
- [free publicity tool](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/free-publicity-tool/)
- [google alert](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-alert/)
- [google alerts](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-alerts/)
- [keeping current on a competitor or industry](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/keeping-current-on-a-competitor-or-industry/)
- [keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/keeping-tabs-on-your-favorite-sports-teams/)
- [Most Important Rule of Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/most-important-rule-of-business/)
- [improve your online reputation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/improve-your-online-reputation/)
- [marketing tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-tips/)
- [online review](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/online-review/)
- [Protecting company reputation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/protecting-company-reputation/)
- [sales training expert](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-training-expert/)
- [Three Best Ways to Improve Your Online Reputation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/three-best-ways-to-improve-your-online-reputation/)
- [www.bertmartinez.com](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/www-bertmartinez-com/)
- [texting ceo](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/texting-ceo/)
- [texting for companies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/texting-for-companies/)
- [wall street journal](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wall-street-journal/)
- [Business Owners Try to Motivate Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-owners-try-to-motivate-employees/)
- [employee bonus](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-bonus/)
- [Motivate Employees](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/motivate-employees/)
- [samall business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/samall-business/)
- [small business marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-marketing/)
- [www.dldesignsonline.com](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/www-dldesignsonline-com/)
- [business fears](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-fears/)
- [business started economic downturns](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-started-economic-downturns/)
- [Customized Sales Training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/customized-sales-training/)
- [economic fears](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/economic-fears/)
- [Global Sales Training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/global-sales-training/)
- [money fears](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/money-fears/)
- [Sales Coaching Training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-coaching-training/)
- [successful business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/successful-business/)
- [a new study shows. And for jobs that were filled with external recruits](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/a-new-study-shows-and-for-jobs-that-were-filled-with-external-recruits/)
- [employement](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employement/)
- [Employers filled more than half of job openings with existing employees](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employers-filled-more-than-half-of-job-openings-with-existing-employees/)
- [Employers hiring](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employers-hiring/)
- [finding jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/finding-jobs/)
- [getting hired](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/getting-hired/)
- [networking for jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networking-for-jobs/)
- [networking hiring](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networking-hiring/)
- [referrals accounted for the most hires](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/referrals-accounted-for-the-most-hires/)
- [social hiring](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/social-hiring/)
- [be a management consultant](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/be-a-management-consultant/)
- [best leader](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-leader/)
- [business coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-coaching/)
- [business consultant business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-consultant-business/)
- [business consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-consulting/)
- [business start up consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-start-up-consulting/)
- [business training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-training/)
- [change management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/change-management/)
- [computer consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/computer-consulting/)
- [consulting businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-businesses/)
- [consulting companies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-companies/)
- [consulting firms](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-firms/)
- [consulting group](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-group/)
- [consulting jobs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-jobs/)
- [consulting services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-services/)
- [controlling the group](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/controlling-the-group/)
- [corporate executive coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/corporate-executive-coaching/)
- [counseling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/counseling/)
- [developing leadership skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/developing-leadership-skills/)
- [education](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/education/)
- [evaluation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/evaluation/)
- [executive career coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-career-coaching/)
- [executive coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-coaching/)
- [executive coaching courses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-coaching-courses/)
- [executive coaching training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-coaching-training/)
- [executive leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/executive-leadership/)
- [getting and giving information](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/getting-and-giving-information/)
- [how to be a management consultant](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-be-a-management-consultant/)
- [human resources management consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/human-resources-management-consulting/)
- [instruction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/instruction/)
- [it consultancy firms](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/it-consultancy-firms/)
- [it consulting for business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/it-consulting-for-business/)
- [knowing and using group resources](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/knowing-and-using-group-resources/)
- [Leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership/)
- [leadership and management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-and-management/)
- [leadership development](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-development/)
- [leadership development curriculum](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-development-curriculum/)
- [leadership lessons](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-lessons/)
- [leadership program](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-program/)
- [leadership skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-skills/)
- [leadership training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-training/)
- [leadership training curriculum](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/leadership-training-curriculum/)
- [life coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/life-coaching/)
- [management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/management/)
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- [management consulting firms](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/management-consulting-firms/)
- [management courses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/management-courses/)
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- [management skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/management-skills/)
- [manager](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/manager/)
- [manager of learning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/manager-of-learning/)
- [managing learning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/managing-learning/)
- [planning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/planning/)
- [problem solving](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/problem-solving/)
- [representing the group](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/representing-the-group/)
- [school leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/school-leadership/)
- [setting the example](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/setting-the-example/)
- [sharing leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sharing-leadership/)
- [strategy management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/strategy-management/)
- [styles of leadership](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/styles-of-leadership/)
- [teaching leadership skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/teaching-leadership-skills/)
- [team building](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/team-building/)
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- [technical consulting firms](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/technical-consulting-firms/)
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- [training courses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/training-courses/)
- [understanding group needs and characteristics](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/understanding-group-needs-and-characteristics/)
- [cash strapped marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/cash-strapped-marketing/)
- [inexpensive way to grow your business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inexpensive-way-to-grow-your-business/)
- [marketing device](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-device/)
- [networkers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networkers/)
- [Networking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networking/)
- [networking marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networking-marketing/)
- [Networking tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/networking-tips/)
- [potential customers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/potential-customers/)
- [word-of-mouth](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/word-of-mouth/)
- [Bert Martinez Communications LLC](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/bert-martinez-communications-llc/)
- [entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/entrepreneurs/)
- [entrepreneurs training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/entrepreneurs-training/)
- [entrepreneurship](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/entrepreneurship/)
- [giving pep talks](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/giving-pep-talks/)
- [inexperienced entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inexperienced-entrepreneurs/)
- [managing employees](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/managing-employees/)
- [SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sarah-e-needleman/)
- [Synotac Design LLC](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/synotac-design-llc/)
- [www.wsj.com](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/www-wsj-com/)
- [business financing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-financing/)
- [chief financial officer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/chief-financial-officer/)
- [customer credit scores](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/customer-credit-scores/)
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- [landing financing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/landing-financing/)
- [National Small Business Association](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/national-small-business-association/)
- [negotiating](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/negotiating/)
- [Negotiating with vendors](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/negotiating-with-vendors/)
- [pay cycles](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pay-cycles/)
- [risk](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/risk/)
- [Vendors](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/vendors/)
- [vendors financing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/vendors-financing/)
- [business tradeshow](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-tradeshow/)
- [event planner](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/event-planner/)
- [trade show](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/trade-show/)
- [tradeshow](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/tradeshow/)
- [video marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-marketing/)
- [communication](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/communication/)
- [AOL Travel](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/aol-travel/)
- [Liz Behler](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/liz-behler/)
- [Lost and Found](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/lost-and-found/)
- [Travel](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/travel/)
- [Darren Dahl](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/darren-dahl/)
- [expansion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/expansion/)
- [how to expand](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-expand/)
- [How to Manage Multiple Business Locations](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-manage-multiple-business-locations/)
- [inc.](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inc/)
- [The World is Flat](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/the-world-is-flat/)
- [sarah needleman](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sarah-needleman/)
- [kodak Zi8](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/kodak-zi8/)
- [kodak Zi8 microphone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/kodak-zi8-microphone/)
- [lavalier microphone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/lavalier-microphone/)
- [Lavalier Omnidirectional](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/lavalier-omnidirectional/)
- [sales advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-advice/)
- [selling strategies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-strategies/)
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- [selling tools](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-tools/)
- [selling training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-training/)
- [value selling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/value-selling/)
- [Buying Emotions](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/buying-emotions/)
- [Emotional Shopping](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/emotional-shopping/)
- [Fox News](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/fox-news/)
- [Neural Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/neural-marketing/)
- [Neuro Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/neuro-marketing/)
- [automated video submission](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/automated-video-submission/)
- [marketing video production](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-video-production/)
- [online video marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/online-video-marketing/)
- [video marketing internet](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-marketing-internet/)
- [video marketing secrets](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-marketing-secrets/)
- [video marketing strategies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-marketing-strategies/)
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- [viral marketing video](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/viral-marketing-video/)
- [web video marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/web-video-marketing/)
- [youtube video marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/youtube-video-marketing/)
- [reputation management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/reputation-management/)
- [Get Free Publicity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/get-free-publicity/)
- [Most Common Press Release Mistakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/most-common-press-release-mistakes/)
- [news release](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/news-release/)
- [Press Release](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/press-release/)
- [press release distribution](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/press-release-distribution/)
- [good habits](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/good-habits/)
- [how to](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to/)
- [peak performance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/peak-performance/)
- [personal development](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/personal-development/)
- [personal power](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/personal-power/)
- [Google TV](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-tv/)
- [houston selling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-selling/)
- [Selling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling/)
- [selling training houston](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-training-houston/)
- [Value added selling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/value-added-selling/)
- [Chistian D. Larson](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/chistian-d-larson/)
- [creed](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/creed/)
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- [joe vitale](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/joe-vitale/)
- [motto](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/motto/)
- [The Optimist Creed](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/the-optimist-creed/)
- [Obama](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/obama/)
- [Small Business Jobs Proposals](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-jobs-proposals/)
- [Health](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/health/)
- [health insurance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/health-insurance/)
- [healthcare](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/healthcare/)
- [healthcarebill](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/healthcarebill/)
- [HealthInsurance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/healthinsurance/)
- [medical bills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/medical-bills/)
- [negotiating medical bills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/negotiating-medical-bills/)
- [adwords](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/adwords/)
- [best pay per click](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-pay-per-click/)
- [best search engine optimization company](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-search-engine-optimization-company/)
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- [consulting firms bangalore](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/consulting-firms-bangalore/)
- [google ad words](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-ad-words/)
- [google add words](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-add-words/)
- [google adwords](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-adwords/)
- [google adwords account](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-adwords-account/)
- [google adwords ads](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-adwords-ads/)
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- [google adwords keyword](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-adwords-keyword/)
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- [Google algorithm](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-algorithm/)
- [google analytic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-analytic/)
- [google analytics](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-analytics/)
- [google analytics tracking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-analytics-tracking/)
- [Google Ranking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-ranking/)
- [internet search engine submission](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/internet-search-engine-submission/)
- [it consulting marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/it-consulting-marketing/)
- [it marketing consultants](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/it-marketing-consultants/)
- [keywords](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/keywords/)
- [marketing consulting firm](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-consulting-firm/)
- [pay per click](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pay-per-click/)
- [pay per click ads](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pay-per-click-ads/)
- [pay per click advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pay-per-click-advertising/)
- [pay per click marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pay-per-click-marketing/)
- [Positioning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/positioning/)
- [Ranking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/ranking/)
- [ranking algorithm](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/ranking-algorithm/)
- [Search Engine](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine/)
- [search engine marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-marketing/)
- [search engine marketing training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-marketing-training/)
- [search engine optimization](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-optimization/)
- [search engine optimization courses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-optimization-courses/)
- [search engine optimization inc](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-optimization-inc/)
- [search engine optimization packages](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-optimization-packages/)
- [search engine submission](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-submission/)
- [seo optimization company](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seo-optimization-company/)
- [seo optimization services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seo-optimization-services/)
- [seo services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seo-services/)
- [small business marketing consulting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-marketing-consulting/)
- [using google adwords](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/using-google-adwords/)
- [Caffeine](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/caffeine/)
- [Coffee](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/coffee/)
- [Side Effects](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/side-effects/)
- [stimulant](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/stimulant/)
- [hero](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/hero/)
- [life coach](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/life-coach/)
- [Michael Jordan Commercial](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/michael-jordan-commercial/)
- [obstacles](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/obstacles/)
- [success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/success/)
- [winner](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/winner/)
- [economic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/economic/)
- [market watch](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/market-watch/)
- [marketwatch.com](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketwatch-com/)
- [Marty Orgel](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marty-orgel/)
- [save money](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/save-money/)
- [saving money](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/saving-money/)
- [times](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/times/)
- [tough](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/tough/)
- [business advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-advice/)
- [business expansion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-expansion/)
- [business help](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-help/)
- [business mentor](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-mentor/)
- [business stats](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-stats/)
- [coaching](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/coaching/)
- [entrepreneur](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/entrepreneur/)
- [how to write a business plan](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-write-a-business-plan/)
- [mentoring](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/mentoring/)
- [SBA](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sba/)
- [small business administration](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-administration/)
- [small business information](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-information/)
- [small business statistics](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-statistics/)
- [small business stats](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-stats/)
- [small business training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-training/)
- [women](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/women/)
- [3G](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/3g/)
- [accessories](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/accessories/)
- [app store](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/app-store/)
- [applications](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/applications/)
- [at&t](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/att/)
- [battery](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/battery/)
- [best cell phone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-cell-phone/)
- [best mobile phone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-mobile-phone/)
- [blackberry](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/blackberry/)
- [Bluetooth](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/bluetooth/)
- [buy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/buy/)
- [buy iPhone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/buy-iphone/)
- [camera](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/camera/)
- [carriers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/carriers/)
- [cell phone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/cell-phone/)
- [chat](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/chat/)
- [compare](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/compare/)
- [comparison](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/comparison/)
- [coverage](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/coverage/)
- [download](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/download/)
- [email](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email/)
- [FaceTime](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/facetime/)
- [games](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/games/)
- [gmail](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/gmail/)
- [Google](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google/)
- [Google Maps](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-maps/)
- [gsm](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/gsm/)
- [i Phone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/i-phone/)
- [Internet](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/internet/)
- [iPhone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone/)
- [iphone 4 engineers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-4-engineers/)
- [iphone 4 problems](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-4-problems/)
- [iphone 4 recall](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-4-recall/)
- [IPhone Antenna](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-antenna/)
- [IPhone Antenna problems](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-antenna-problems/)
- [iphone problems press conference](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/iphone-problems-press-conference/)
- [latest](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/latest/)
- [location](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/location/)
- [maps](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/maps/)
- [Microsoft](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/microsoft/)
- [mobile phone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/mobile-phone/)
- [models](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/models/)
- [music](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/music/)
- [new](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/new/)
- [new iPhone](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/new-iphone/)
- [pictures](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pictures/)
- [plans](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/plans/)
- [popular](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/popular/)
- [providers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/providers/)
- [Retina](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/retina/)
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- [weather](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/weather/)
- [Windows](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/windows/)
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- [WWDC](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wwdc/)
- [Interpersonal](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/interpersonal/)
- [Introverts](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/introverts/)
- [Overcome](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/overcome/)
- [Shyness](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/shyness/)
- [Skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/skills/)
- [7 year old](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/7-year-old/)
- [Julie Murphy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/julie-murphy/)
- [lemonade stand](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/lemonade-stand/)
- [unlicensed](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/unlicensed/)
- [attractor factor](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/attractor-factor/)
- [ho’oponopono](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/hooponopono/)
- [law of attraction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/law-of-attraction/)
- [spiritual marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/spiritual-marketing/)
- [the secret](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/the-secret/)
- [zero limits](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/zero-limits/)
- [communicate](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/communicate/)
- [communication skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/communication-skills/)
- [people skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/people-skills/)
- [skills for communicating](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/skills-for-communicating/)
- [ad gambit](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/ad-gambit/)
- [ad trickery](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/ad-trickery/)
- [bait 'n switch](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/bait-n-switch/)
- [false advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/false-advertising/)
- [Outrageous Ads](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/outrageous-ads/)
- [sex sells](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sex-sells/)
- [dan kennedy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/dan-kennedy/)
- [marketing for small business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-for-small-business/)
- [Strategies for entrepreneurs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/strategies-for-entrepreneurs/)
- [Trusted Advisor](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/trusted-advisor/)
- [article Marketing Services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/article-marketing-services/)
- [article promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/article-promotion/)
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- [best ways to bring traffic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-ways-to-bring-traffic/)
- [best ways to drive traffic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-ways-to-drive-traffic/)
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- [Video Marketing Services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-marketing-services/)
- [Website Marketing Services](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website-marketing-services/)
- [Website Marketing Tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website-marketing-tips/)
- [Website Promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website-promotion/)
- [Website Traffic SEO](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website-traffic-seo/)
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- [Website video promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website-video-promotion/)
- [Writing articles](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/writing-articles/)
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- [YouTube Marketing Tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/youtube-marketing-tips/)
- [YouTube Promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/youtube-promotion/)
- [YouTube video promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/youtube-video-promotion/)
- [employee benefits](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-benefits/)
- [employee motivation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-motivation-2/)
- [employee relations](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-relations/)
- [advisory board](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advisory-board/)
- [board of advisors](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/board-of-advisors/)
- [corporate governance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/corporate-governance/)
- [small business advisory board](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-advisory-board/)
- [Practices](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/practices/)
- [Sales](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales/)
- [Sales 2.0](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-2-0/)
- [Technology](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/technology/)
- [plan sales](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/plan-sales/)
- [Write](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/write/)
- [writing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/writing/)
- [Small Businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-businesses/)
- [down](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/down/)
- [economy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/economy/)
- [Making](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/making/)
- [Selling in a Ression](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-in-a-ression/)
- [inbound links](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inbound-links/)
- [increase ranking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/increase-ranking/)
- [link campaign](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/link-campaign/)
- [Link Popularity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/link-popularity/)
- [seo tricks](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seo-tricks/)
- [make money online](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/make-money-online/)
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- [sale video money](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sale-video-money/)
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- [getting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/getting/)
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- [Search Engine Optimization Houston](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-optimization-houston/)
- [seo](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/seo-2/)
- [sales training advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-training-advice/)
- [sales training articles](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-training-articles/)
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- [employee training programs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-training-programs/)
- [keys to success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/keys-to-success/)
- [presentation skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/presentation-skills/)
- [selling advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-advice/)
- [employee trainer](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/employee-trainer/)
- [objections](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/objections/)
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- [sales advice training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-advice-training/)
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- [Houston SEO Training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/houston-seo-training/)
- [keyword](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/keyword/)
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- [website](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/website/)
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- [page ranking](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/page-ranking/)
- [research](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/research/)
- [search engine results page](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-engine-results-page/)
- [search marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/search-marketing/)
- [SERPs](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/serps/)
- [yahoo](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/yahoo/)
- [basic sales skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/basic-sales-skills/)
- [essential sales skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/essential-sales-skills/)
- [natural sale skill](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/natural-sale-skill/)
- [sales skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-skills/)
- [selling ability](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-ability/)
- [selling talent](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-talent/)
- [conversion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/conversion/)
- [email marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email-marketing-2/)
- [internet marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/internet-marketing/)
- [list building](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/list-building/)
- [traffic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/traffic/)
- [business failure](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-failure/)
- [failure of businesses](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/failure-of-businesses/)
- [startup failure rates](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/startup-failure-rates/)
- [Why Businesses Fail](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/why-businesses-fail/)
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- [First Page of Google](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/first-page-of-google/)
- [Get](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/get/)
- [Google Places](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-places/)
- [Google Search](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/google-search/)
- [Local](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/local/)
- [Places](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/places/)
- [Simple Strategy To Boost Your Productivity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/simple-strategy-to-boost-your-productivity/)
- [Accounting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/accounting/)
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- [small business jobs act](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-jobs-act/)
- [Startup Expense Deduction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/startup-expense-deduction/)
- [clsoing the sale](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/clsoing-the-sale/)
- [sales resource](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-resource/)
- [SalesGenie.com](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/salesgenie-com/)
- [targeted business prospecting](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/targeted-business-prospecting/)
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- [business Answers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-answers/)
- [Business Owners](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-owners/)
- [prosper in good times and in bad](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/prosper-in-good-times-and-in-bad/)
- [shortcut to success](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/shortcut-to-success/)
- [slow economy](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/slow-economy/)
- [Advisory](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advisory/)
- [Board](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/board/)
- [Tips for Creating an Advisory Board](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/tips-for-creating-an-advisory-board/)
- [advertising](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advertising-2/)
- [brand management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/brand-management/)
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- [immutable laws](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/immutable-laws/)
- [marketing guru](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-guru/)
- [Advance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advance/)
- [Advantages](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advantages/)
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- [closing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/closing/)
- [Features](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/features/)
- [sell](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sell/)
- [techniques](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/techniques/)
- [advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advice/)
- [credit](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/credit/)
- [debt](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/debt/)
- [family](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/family/)
- [finances](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/finances/)
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- [peter shankman](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/peter-shankman/)
- [PR](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/pr/)
- [Press release advice](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/press-release-advice/)
- [PRWeb](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/prweb/)
- [publicity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/publicity-2/)
- [steve harrison](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/steve-harrison/)
- [creating a sales system](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/creating-a-sales-system/)
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- [develop a selling system](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/develop-a-selling-system/)
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- [How to Create an Effective Sales System](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-create-an-effective-sales-system/)
- [sales managers resources](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-managers-resources/)
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- [like](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/like/)
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- [video content](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/video-content/)
- [videos marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/videos-marketing/)
- [Business Owner](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-owner/)
- [Clients](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/clients/)
- [Elaine Pofeldt](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/elaine-pofeldt/)
- [Innovation](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/innovation/)
- [Paula Rosenblum](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/paula-rosenblum/)
- [Tory Burch](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/tory-burch/)
- [Best Practices](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/best-practices/)
- [Economic Recession](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/economic-recession/)
- [Hiring](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/hiring/)
- [How To Fire](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-fire/)
- [Recruitment](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/recruitment/)
- [Wise Bread](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wise-bread/)
- [free](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/free/)
- [free sales training](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/free-sales-training/)
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- [Glazer-Kennedy Insider's Circle](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/glazer-kennedy-insiders-circle/)
- [wasting time on](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wasting-time-on/)
- [hubspot](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/hubspot/)
- [press releases](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/press-releases/)
- [How to Win Friends and Influence People](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people/)
- [mistakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/mistakes/)
- [wrong](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wrong/)
- [4th edition: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/4th-edition-easy-and-inexpensive-strategies-for-making-big-profits-from-your-small-business/)
- [Advertising & Promotion](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advertising-promotion/)
- [Business / Economics / Finance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-economics-finance/)
- [Business & Economics](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-economics/)
- [Business & Economics / Marketing / General](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-economics-marketing-general/)
- [Business/Economics](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/businesseconomics/)
- [Guerrilla Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/guerrilla-marketing/)
- [Jay Conrad Levinson](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/jay-conrad-levinson/)
- [Marketing - General](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/marketing-general/)
- [Sales & Marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-marketing/)
- [Sales & marketing management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sales-marketing-management/)
- [Small Business - General](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-general/)
- [Small business - Management](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-business-management/)
- [Small businesses & self-employed](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/small-businesses-self-employed/)
- [copy writing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/copy-writing/)
- [persuasive words](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/persuasive-words/)
- [selling words](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-words/)
- [words that sell](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/words-that-sell/)
- [QR Codes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/qr-codes/)
- [QR Marketing Tips](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/qr-marketing-tips/)
- [Christmas Miracle](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/christmas-miracle/)
- [Computer TV](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/computer-tv/)
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- [Television Online](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/television-online/)
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- [Web TV](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/web-tv/)
- [product position](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/product-position/)
- [sprinkles Cupcakes](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/sprinkles-cupcakes/)
- [Unique Selling Proposition](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/unique-selling-proposition/)
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- [inner critic](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inner-critic/)
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- [self-esteem](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/self-esteem/)
- [barter](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/barter/)
- [Craigslist](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/craigslist/)
- [selling items](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/selling-items/)
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- [Stephen Covey](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/stephen-covey/)
- [joe](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/joe/)
- [Lies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/lies/)
- [Scarcity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/scarcity/)
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- [talk](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/talk/)
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- [wealth](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wealth/)
- [Custom Audiences](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/custom-audiences/)
- [email campaigns](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/email-campaigns/)
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- [Go for No Book](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/go-for-no-book/)
- [rejection](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/rejection/)
- [back links](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/back-links/)
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- [rankings](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/rankings/)
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- [serach rankings](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/serach-rankings/)
- [advice for selling](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/advice-for-selling/)
- [new customers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/new-customers/)
- [building a list](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/building-a-list/)
- [content marketing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/content-marketing/)
- [asking for referrals](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/asking-for-referrals/)
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- [Real Estate](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/real-estate/)
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- [Christmas](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/christmas/)
- [Corporate e-cards](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/corporate-e-cards/)
- [outsourcing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/outsourcing/)
- [South Africa](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/south-africa/)
- [accounting skills](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/accounting-skills/)
- [interview](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/interview/)
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- [ecards greetings](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/ecards-greetings/)
- [holidays](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/holidays/)
- [Europe](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/europe/)
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- [office](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/office/)
- [organize](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/organize/)
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- [business strategies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/business-strategies/)
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- [objectives](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/objectives/)
- [budget](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/budget/)
- [credit card](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/credit-card/)
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- [broker](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/broker/)
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- [income](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/income/)
- [inheritance](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/inheritance/)
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- [wealth planning](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/wealth-planning/)
- [events](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/events/)
- [exhibitions](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/exhibitions/)
- [home business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/home-business/)
- [cloud computing](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/cloud-computing/)
- [software solutions](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/software-solutions/)
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- [mobile business](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/mobile-business/)
- [loans](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/loans/)
- [overdraft extensions](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/overdraft-extensions/)
- [7 People Everyone Should Have in Their Life](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/7-people-everyone-should-have-in-their-life/)
- [people](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/people/)
- [Arizona freelancers](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/arizona-freelancers/)
- [finance strategies](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/finance-strategies/)
- [forex market](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/forex-market/)
- [debt reduction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/debt-reduction/)
- [construction](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/construction/)
- [construction site](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/construction-site/)
- [productivity](https://bertmartinez.com/tag/productivity/)
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