Recent Articles

  • The ultimate connection: Word of mouth

    Jessica Taylor Marketing

    How do customers find out about your business? According to a recent survey, 85 percent of small businesses stated that it's by word of mouth (WOM). Since small businesses are more about the personalized approach, they are able to connect with customers instilling trust and loyalty, which ultimately passes onto friends. WOM isn't something you can purchase, but it's also not difficult to get. It's truly based on giving your customers an incredible experience that makes them want to come back for more.

  • Evaluating the board’s performance

    Shawna Strickland and Bob Harris Association Management

    The last item on the board's agenda read, "Board Evaluation." The last page in the board packet was a self-evaluation — sort of a report card for the board. Two of the directors noticed the items with curiosity. One said, "They can't evaluate us, we are all volunteers."

  • How to tell patients about the link between gingivitis and diabetes

    Carolina Pickens Oral & Dental Healthcare

    The American Diabetes Association reports that a whopping 30 million Americans have diabetes. Unfortunately, this condition comes with many extensive complications that aren't limited to the medical field. Many reports have shown a prevalent connection between diabetes in patients and early to advanced stages of gingivitis.

  • The next frontier: Mining the deep sea

    Stefanie Heerwig Natural Resources

    As we continue consuming metals and rare earths at the same speed as today, we could run out of existing resources 20 years' time, according to an estimate of current resources and reserves worldwide. Rare earths are the basis for state-of-the-art renewable technology like solar panels. And replacing oil, gas and coal with existing renewable energy technology would require the extraction of rare earths to increase by 700 percent over the next 25 years, according to the latest MIT research.

  • Why is Blue Cross Blue Shield investing in Higi?

    Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

    ​Recent news of insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield's investment in healthcare company Higi may have sparked some questions — particularly, what exactly is Higi? Founded in 2012 by Michael Ferro, Higi owns and operates more than 11,000 self-screening health kiosks in retailers nationwide, Crain's Chicago Business reports. In 2014, Higi signed a deal with national drugstore chain Rite Aid to become its sole provider of health stations where customers can check their weight, pulse, body mass index and blood pressure.

  • 3 signs your church isn’t connected to your community

    Mark MacDonald Religious Community

    Has someone been talking with you and you start wondering if they realize you're not listening? Perhaps your spouse? A friend? You feel like they're saying things that don't make sense to you or interest you at all. You feel like you could walk away and they wouldn't notice. Perhaps your community thinks that about your church!

  • What do great leaders have in common with great DJs?

    Damon Sayles Business Management, Services & Risk Management

    Picture it. The scene is intense. The ambiance is notable. The electricity is never questioned. Most importantly, the people are excited. This is the scenario every phenomenal DJ wants to experience the minute he puts on that first song.

  • 8 tasty American food and wine festivals

    Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

    Food and travel go hand in hand these days, as increasing numbers of travelers plan their trips around food and beverage events. And, with food and wine festivals popping up everywhere across the country, it's becoming easier to celebrate great food and drinks as part of a vacation experience.

  • Unraveling the ‘mystery’ of Superstition Mountain

    Joshua Fry Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

    ​Why do they call it the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun? The first part is easy; the location of the match is in the backdrop of the beautiful Arizona Superstition Mountains. The "mystery" part is what makes this match fun and unique among all other three-gun events in the country.

  • Being a good 3-D neighbor

    Wendy Lathrop Construction & Building Materials

    Ownership of land runs from the highest point in the heavens to the center of the earth — or so we are generally informed as we surveyors begin our studies of real property characteristics. However, that vast expanse of ownership does not equate to full possession when it comes to such things as allowing airplanes and satellites cross the skies above us; some aspects are beyond an owner's full control. Neighbors above and below us have rights, too.