Business Talk

(BPT) – The trend of home and community gardens is on the rise in the U.S. A 2014 study by the National Gardening Association found 1 in 3 households now grow their own food to help put breakfast, lunch and dinner on kitchen tables. While more and more…

(BPT) – The trend of home and community gardens is on the rise in the U.S. A 2014 study by the National Gardening Association found 1 in 3 households now grow their own food to help put breakfast, lunch and dinner on kitchen tables. While more and more…

(BPT) – You arrive at your hotel and pull out your smartphone. After an incredibly long sign-in process, you connect to the Internet. It works fine in the hallway but not in your room, so you go to the business center to check email and print tickets to tonight’s show. The center is packed, so you head back to your room to wait. Meanwhile, your kids are trying to stream a movie and the Internet connection is slow.

Both business and leisure travelers rely on technology to stay connected and streamline to-do’s. However, poor Wi-Fi and minimal tech-focused amenities leave many travelers disappointed. That’s why before booking a hotel, you should always ask questions to ensure you get as much out of your technology while travelling as you do while at home.

Ask these eight questions to make sure your technology needs are met while staying at any hotel, no matter how many devices you plan to use.

Is the room suited for technology?

Whether new or remodeled, modern hotels should feature room designs that support technology. For example, ask about easy access to outlets and charging stations while you’re in the room to ensure you can plug in your phone, charge your tablet and use your computer all at the same time.

How reliable is the Internet?

Fast, reliable Internet is critical for anyone traveling for business or pleasure. When you stay at IHG hotels, you can feel confident you get superior Internet service. IHG Connect provides advanced Wi-Fi technology with increased bandwidth to meet the demand and volume needs of guests.

What is the login process?

Lengthy login processes are a hassle, especially if you’re connecting multiple devices. Some hotels offer streamlined methods which is a big time-saver. Want to log in just once? IHG Rewards Club members log in and then they’ll be recognized and automatically connected at every IHG Connect-enabled hotel.

How secure is the Wi-Fi network?

Most hotels today offer Wi-Fi to guests, but it might not be a secure network. To ensure private information stays private, only stay at hotels with a private and secure Internet connection for guests.

Is there an extra cost for Wi-Fi?

Some hotels charge extra for fast Internet access. Ask about costs and look into membership perks that wave these fees. For example, IHG Rewards Club members receive free Wi-Fi at all IHG properties.

What is available at the business center?

A good hotel will have a business center available to all guests. Inquire as to what is included at the center to ensure your needs are met. Printers, fax machines, computers and a variety of outlets should be available.

What are the hours of the business center?

Ask about the hours of the business center so you know you’re covered, whether you need to book a last-minute reservation to the city’s hottest attraction or print out that big report for tomorrow’s presentation.

Are meeting spaces available?

For business travelers, impromptu meeting spaces are great for quick meetups or when you want to get out of your room for a change of scenery. For more formal gatherings, ask the hotel about the availability of meeting planners who can assist in organizing the technology needs of large groups of people and corporate events.

Keep your technology moving as fast as you do by asking these questions now. That way your hotel stay will be that much more enjoyable, comfortable and productive.

(BPT) – You arrive at your hotel and pull out your smartphone. After an incredibly long sign-in process, you connect to the Internet. It works fine in the hallway but not in your room, so you go to the business center to check email and print tickets to tonight’s show. The center is packed, so you head back to your room to wait. Meanwhile, your kids are trying to stream a movie and the Internet connection is slow.

Both business and leisure travelers rely on technology to stay connected and streamline to-do’s. However, poor Wi-Fi and minimal tech-focused amenities leave many travelers disappointed. That’s why before booking a hotel, you should always ask questions to ensure you get as much out of your technology while travelling as you do while at home.

Ask these eight questions to make sure your technology needs are met while staying at any hotel, no matter how many devices you plan to use.

Is the room suited for technology?

Whether new or remodeled, modern hotels should feature room designs that support technology. For example, ask about easy access to outlets and charging stations while you’re in the room to ensure you can plug in your phone, charge your tablet and use your computer all at the same time.

How reliable is the Internet?

Fast, reliable Internet is critical for anyone traveling for business or pleasure. When you stay at IHG hotels, you can feel confident you get superior Internet service. IHG Connect provides advanced Wi-Fi technology with increased bandwidth to meet the demand and volume needs of guests.

What is the login process?

Lengthy login processes are a hassle, especially if you’re connecting multiple devices. Some hotels offer streamlined methods which is a big time-saver. Want to log in just once? IHG Rewards Club members log in and then they’ll be recognized and automatically connected at every IHG Connect-enabled hotel.

How secure is the Wi-Fi network?

Most hotels today offer Wi-Fi to guests, but it might not be a secure network. To ensure private information stays private, only stay at hotels with a private and secure Internet connection for guests.

Is there an extra cost for Wi-Fi?

Some hotels charge extra for fast Internet access. Ask about costs and look into membership perks that wave these fees. For example, IHG Rewards Club members receive free Wi-Fi at all IHG properties.

What is available at the business center?

A good hotel will have a business center available to all guests. Inquire as to what is included at the center to ensure your needs are met. Printers, fax machines, computers and a variety of outlets should be available.

What are the hours of the business center?

Ask about the hours of the business center so you know you’re covered, whether you need to book a last-minute reservation to the city’s hottest attraction or print out that big report for tomorrow’s presentation.

Are meeting spaces available?

For business travelers, impromptu meeting spaces are great for quick meetups or when you want to get out of your room for a change of scenery. For more formal gatherings, ask the hotel about the availability of meeting planners who can assist in organizing the technology needs of large groups of people and corporate events.

Keep your technology moving as fast as you do by asking these questions now. That way your hotel stay will be that much more enjoyable, comfortable and productive.

(BPT) – You could call this a story of dreamers. Of taking chances, tempting fate and daring to take a blind leap of faith. The first chapter began because Bob Page found himself stuck in a job he hated.

“I lived for my weekend hobby, going to flea markets searching for vintage china and crystal,” says Replacements, Ltd. Founder and CEO Bob Page. “As friends heard what I was doing, they would ask me to look for their patterns. I had a little recipe box that I kept index cards in and I would take notes of things that people were looking to find. That went so well I ran ads in some magazines, and I started getting calls from people looking for those older, hard-to-find patterns. And I began to think, there’s a real need here no one is meeting.”

From small beginnings

Early on, Page climbed through dumpsters looking for boxes to repurpose for shipping. As the requests grew, Page knew he had to make a move. He quit his job as a state auditor, hired a part-time assistant and refused to look back.

“I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, so my family was really upset and thought I was crazy, trying to sell used dishes for a living,” says Page. “I had to take this chance because I really felt like if I could devote myself to my hobby full time, I could make it work. I didn’t think I would as a CPA, but if I’m doing something I really enjoy, I’ll be better off.”

Page’s gamble hit a sentimental spot with customers who would rather replace the patterns they loved rather than buy new ones. And so began dinnerware giant Replacements, Ltd.

Fast forward 36 years, and Page’s weekend hobby has grown into the world’s largest retailer of vintage and current dinnerware, crystal, silver and collectibles. The numbers alone are astounding. Replacements’ facilities cover an area larger than eight football fields. Inventory includes more than 11 million pieces from nearly 450,000 patterns. With nearly 400 employees, the company’s global reach includes millions of customers spanning six continents.

On the human side of the business, as a gay man, Page knew discrimination firsthand, which drove him to create a company known for inclusion, innovative workplace practices (such as on-site health care), and an emphasis on taking a stand to protect all people. Many national magazines have also recognized Replacements as one of the top pet-friendly companies in the country.

Writing the next chapter

Despite Replacements’ success on so many levels, in recent years the company had to face the same reality dogging so many businesses: It wasn’t attracting younger buyers.

In this changing customer landscape, with millennials strongly influencing buying habits, leadership recognized Replacements needed to reinvent itself in this new world of consumers.

“Customers had pretty much pigeonholed us as a company used to replace broken pieces, which was frustrating because Replacements is so much more than a matching service,” says Chief Marketing Officer Linh Calhoun. “Our challenge became figuring out how to stay true to our current customer base, while at the same time establishing relevance as a lifestyle business with a new audience. We realized that regardless of their stage in life, we needed to show each generation how Replacements can play a part in helping them create experiences they’ll never forget, whether they’re hosting their very first cocktail party or their 20th Thanksgiving. Like so many other brands, we truly have to be relevant with all ages.”

To tackle this dilemma, Calhoun’s team began identifying what their current customer looked like, then created buyer personas of new customers they wanted to reach. Through this exercise, they developed the company’s new tagline, “There’s a place for you,” alluding to both the company’s impact on customers and its inclusive stand for social justice. The team stepped up its social media efforts, redefined its mission statement and leveraged the company’s recent 36th anniversary to create another milestone by launching the retailer’s first flagship video.

So far, Replacements is seeing overwhelmingly positive responses both from its longtime customer base and those just learning about the company. While it’s too early to tell how well the refreshed focus will resonate with consumers, Page’s advice for would-be entrepreneurs is also timely for companies looking to evolve to the next level.

“Settling for comfortable is the easy way out,” says Page. “Don’t be afraid to take risks — you’ll never know what you might achieve if you aren’t willing to take a chance and step out of your comfort zone.”

(BPT) – You could call this a story of dreamers. Of taking chances, tempting fate and daring to take a blind leap of faith. The first chapter began because Bob Page found himself stuck in a job he hated.

“I lived for my weekend hobby, going to flea markets searching for vintage china and crystal,” says Replacements, Ltd. Founder and CEO Bob Page. “As friends heard what I was doing, they would ask me to look for their patterns. I had a little recipe box that I kept index cards in and I would take notes of things that people were looking to find. That went so well I ran ads in some magazines, and I started getting calls from people looking for those older, hard-to-find patterns. And I began to think, there’s a real need here no one is meeting.”

From small beginnings

Early on, Page climbed through dumpsters looking for boxes to repurpose for shipping. As the requests grew, Page knew he had to make a move. He quit his job as a state auditor, hired a part-time assistant and refused to look back.

“I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, so my family was really upset and thought I was crazy, trying to sell used dishes for a living,” says Page. “I had to take this chance because I really felt like if I could devote myself to my hobby full time, I could make it work. I didn’t think I would as a CPA, but if I’m doing something I really enjoy, I’ll be better off.”

Page’s gamble hit a sentimental spot with customers who would rather replace the patterns they loved rather than buy new ones. And so began dinnerware giant Replacements, Ltd.

Fast forward 36 years, and Page’s weekend hobby has grown into the world’s largest retailer of vintage and current dinnerware, crystal, silver and collectibles. The numbers alone are astounding. Replacements’ facilities cover an area larger than eight football fields. Inventory includes more than 11 million pieces from nearly 450,000 patterns. With nearly 400 employees, the company’s global reach includes millions of customers spanning six continents.

On the human side of the business, as a gay man, Page knew discrimination firsthand, which drove him to create a company known for inclusion, innovative workplace practices (such as on-site health care), and an emphasis on taking a stand to protect all people. Many national magazines have also recognized Replacements as one of the top pet-friendly companies in the country.

Writing the next chapter

Despite Replacements’ success on so many levels, in recent years the company had to face the same reality dogging so many businesses: It wasn’t attracting younger buyers.

In this changing customer landscape, with millennials strongly influencing buying habits, leadership recognized Replacements needed to reinvent itself in this new world of consumers.

“Customers had pretty much pigeonholed us as a company used to replace broken pieces, which was frustrating because Replacements is so much more than a matching service,” says Chief Marketing Officer Linh Calhoun. “Our challenge became figuring out how to stay true to our current customer base, while at the same time establishing relevance as a lifestyle business with a new audience. We realized that regardless of their stage in life, we needed to show each generation how Replacements can play a part in helping them create experiences they’ll never forget, whether they’re hosting their very first cocktail party or their 20th Thanksgiving. Like so many other brands, we truly have to be relevant with all ages.”

To tackle this dilemma, Calhoun’s team began identifying what their current customer looked like, then created buyer personas of new customers they wanted to reach. Through this exercise, they developed the company’s new tagline, “There’s a place for you,” alluding to both the company’s impact on customers and its inclusive stand for social justice. The team stepped up its social media efforts, redefined its mission statement and leveraged the company’s recent 36th anniversary to create another milestone by launching the retailer’s first flagship video.

So far, Replacements is seeing overwhelmingly positive responses both from its longtime customer base and those just learning about the company. While it’s too early to tell how well the refreshed focus will resonate with consumers, Page’s advice for would-be entrepreneurs is also timely for companies looking to evolve to the next level.

“Settling for comfortable is the easy way out,” says Page. “Don’t be afraid to take risks — you’ll never know what you might achieve if you aren’t willing to take a chance and step out of your comfort zone.”

(BPT) – Starting your own business can nurture your entrepreneurial spirit, earn you some money and give you the opportunity to spend more time with your family — including your pets. So what job can you do that doesn’t necessarily require a degree, affords you time flexibility, is in a growing industry and will be something you love?

Two words: pet products!

“The pet product and services industry can be a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs,” says Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA). “Often, all that’s needed are a good idea and a love of animals to start your own business. And with demand for pet products and services, especially higher-end offerings, continuing to grow, opportunities in the industry will increase accordingly.”

Pets by the numbers

Americans spent more than $66 billion on pet products and care in 2016, according to the American Pet Products Association. And according to APPA’s new 2017/2018 National Pet Owners Survey, nearly 142.8 million American households are home to approximately 390 million dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, horses and small animals.

With all those pets needing care, food, toys, healthy treats and other accouterments, is it any wonder the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in the animal care and service industry will grow faster than average between now and 2024?

Career opportunities

Certain areas of the pet products and care industry are poised to grow even faster, Vetere predicts. “Food, over-the-counter health products and supplies constituted the largest portion of spending in 2016,” he says. “The pet humanization trend is driving growth at the premium end of the market.”

If you’re looking to start your own pet-related business, 2016 spending trends point to these jobs as ones that could pay off for entrepreneurs:

* Create your own botanical/organic grooming products. Just as interest has grown in human products that are better for people and the environment, demand is increasing for organic pet products, too.

* Launch a line of gourmet dog biscuits. All it takes is a great recipe, an oven and a bit of marketing savvy to start selling high-end doggie treats.

* Concoct a potty solution. Let’s face it: If you’ve got pets, you’ve got pet poop, and no one really relishes dealing with it. However, pet poop presents a number of business opportunities, from creating a portable dog potty or revolutionary pickup product to providing a yard cleanup service.

* Build custom play lands and sleeping platforms for cats. A little woodworking expertise, some creativity, knowledge of cats, and work space in the garage are all you need to begin creating luxurious, custom-made wonderlands for some lucky felines.

* Create a line of designer pet wear. From glamorous collars to snugly sweaters and sweet bandanas, today’s pets are well dressed. Put your knowledge of sewing and your passion for design together to develop high-fashion pet wear.

* Start up your own specialty pet-sitting service. Want to differentiate yourself from the competition? Try specializing in care for less common pets like fish, reptiles and birds. While it’s not difficult to find someone to feed a cat or walk a dog while a pet owner is away, it can be harder to find caregivers with the expertise (and willingness) to take care of a pet snake or iguana.

“Pets enrich the lives of their human companions on a daily basis,” Vetere says. “If you love pets, creating pet products and offering pet care services can be a rewarding career opportunity on many levels.”

(BPT) – Starting your own business can nurture your entrepreneurial spirit, earn you some money and give you the opportunity to spend more time with your family — including your pets. So what job can you do that doesn’t necessarily require a degree, affords you time flexibility, is in a growing industry and will be something you love?

Two words: pet products!

“The pet product and services industry can be a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs,” says Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA). “Often, all that’s needed are a good idea and a love of animals to start your own business. And with demand for pet products and services, especially higher-end offerings, continuing to grow, opportunities in the industry will increase accordingly.”

Pets by the numbers

Americans spent more than $66 billion on pet products and care in 2016, according to the American Pet Products Association. And according to APPA’s new 2017/2018 National Pet Owners Survey, nearly 142.8 million American households are home to approximately 390 million dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, horses and small animals.

With all those pets needing care, food, toys, healthy treats and other accouterments, is it any wonder the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in the animal care and service industry will grow faster than average between now and 2024?

Career opportunities

Certain areas of the pet products and care industry are poised to grow even faster, Vetere predicts. “Food, over-the-counter health products and supplies constituted the largest portion of spending in 2016,” he says. “The pet humanization trend is driving growth at the premium end of the market.”

If you’re looking to start your own pet-related business, 2016 spending trends point to these jobs as ones that could pay off for entrepreneurs:

* Create your own botanical/organic grooming products. Just as interest has grown in human products that are better for people and the environment, demand is increasing for organic pet products, too.

* Launch a line of gourmet dog biscuits. All it takes is a great recipe, an oven and a bit of marketing savvy to start selling high-end doggie treats.

* Concoct a potty solution. Let’s face it: If you’ve got pets, you’ve got pet poop, and no one really relishes dealing with it. However, pet poop presents a number of business opportunities, from creating a portable dog potty or revolutionary pickup product to providing a yard cleanup service.

* Build custom play lands and sleeping platforms for cats. A little woodworking expertise, some creativity, knowledge of cats, and work space in the garage are all you need to begin creating luxurious, custom-made wonderlands for some lucky felines.

* Create a line of designer pet wear. From glamorous collars to snugly sweaters and sweet bandanas, today’s pets are well dressed. Put your knowledge of sewing and your passion for design together to develop high-fashion pet wear.

* Start up your own specialty pet-sitting service. Want to differentiate yourself from the competition? Try specializing in care for less common pets like fish, reptiles and birds. While it’s not difficult to find someone to feed a cat or walk a dog while a pet owner is away, it can be harder to find caregivers with the expertise (and willingness) to take care of a pet snake or iguana.

“Pets enrich the lives of their human companions on a daily basis,” Vetere says. “If you love pets, creating pet products and offering pet care services can be a rewarding career opportunity on many levels.”

(BPT) – Today’s political climate seems to offer less room for inclusion than ever before. The polarizing campaigns and election in the United States left many divided. And across the ocean, the approval of Brexit shook the European continent to its core.

In politics, it seems, inclusion is out.

Yet in the business sector, inclusion has never been more in. Businesses face more competition than ever thanks to the growing global economy and technological advancements that constantly shift the playing field. Now more than ever, a diverse team of men and women is required to help companies truly reach their entire, global customer base and their true potential. However, while this truth is widely accepted, change is slow to arrive.

Research from Catalyst shows that while women have made some nominal gains, they still see unequal representation on the boards of Fortune 500 companies. The data shows that almost 70 percent of these total F500 boards seats are held by white men. While women and minorities appear on 30.8 percent percent of boards— an all-time high — there is much more work to be done.

Catalyst is at the forefront working for this change. A leading global nonprofit organization, Catalyst has been a pioneering thought leader for more than 50 years, working to advance diversity, inclusion and gender equality at work. To advance this mission Catalyst created the Catalyst CEO Champions For Change, an initiative that brings together more than 40 high-profile CEOs and senior leaders who are visibly supportive of diversity and inclusion by driving it in their organizations. As part of this movement, CEOs are affirming their support for accelerating diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within their organizations. They are also making organizational and personal commitments, such as advancing the representation of women and women of color in senior level positions and on their boards of directors over five years, and actively sponsoring a diverse group of women. These 40+ companies represent more than 9 million employees and more than $1.5 trillion dollars in revenue globally. See the founding list of companies and read the full pledge at catalyst.org/Champions.

Celebrating industry leaders

The Catalyst CEO Champions For Change was launched on March 8 at the annual Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner, also coinciding with International Women’s Day. Three of the most forward thinking companies in the world — 3M, BMO Financial Group and Rockwell Automation— were honored for their efforts in leading the change for diversity and inclusion. In addition to the dinner and awards ceremony, the event also featured #CatalystForChange social media activity and an exhibit hall that celebrated the International Women’s Day theme of #BeBoldForChange.

While change is certainly the engine that powers Catalyst’s work and the conference it remains a safe space for more than 1,600 leaders in the global business community to gather without judgment and learn how they can rethink old definitions and stereotypes to reject them in favor of inclusion. Because while many aspects of today’s world may seem polarizing, there’s always room for change. Join us and be the #CatalystForChange.

To learn more about how Catalyst is changing workplaces and changing lives every single day, visit Catalyst.org.

(BPT) – Today’s political climate seems to offer less room for inclusion than ever before. The polarizing campaigns and election in the United States left many divided. And across the ocean, the approval of Brexit shook the European continent to its core.

In politics, it seems, inclusion is out.

Yet in the business sector, inclusion has never been more in. Businesses face more competition than ever thanks to the growing global economy and technological advancements that constantly shift the playing field. Now more than ever, a diverse team of men and women is required to help companies truly reach their entire, global customer base and their true potential. However, while this truth is widely accepted, change is slow to arrive.

Research from Catalyst shows that while women have made some nominal gains, they still see unequal representation on the boards of Fortune 500 companies. The data shows that almost 70 percent of these total F500 boards seats are held by white men. While women and minorities appear on 30.8 percent percent of boards— an all-time high — there is much more work to be done.

Catalyst is at the forefront working for this change. A leading global nonprofit organization, Catalyst has been a pioneering thought leader for more than 50 years, working to advance diversity, inclusion and gender equality at work. To advance this mission Catalyst created the Catalyst CEO Champions For Change, an initiative that brings together more than 40 high-profile CEOs and senior leaders who are visibly supportive of diversity and inclusion by driving it in their organizations. As part of this movement, CEOs are affirming their support for accelerating diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within their organizations. They are also making organizational and personal commitments, such as advancing the representation of women and women of color in senior level positions and on their boards of directors over five years, and actively sponsoring a diverse group of women. These 40+ companies represent more than 9 million employees and more than $1.5 trillion dollars in revenue globally. See the founding list of companies and read the full pledge at catalyst.org/Champions.

Celebrating industry leaders

The Catalyst CEO Champions For Change was launched on March 8 at the annual Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner, also coinciding with International Women’s Day. Three of the most forward thinking companies in the world — 3M, BMO Financial Group and Rockwell Automation— were honored for their efforts in leading the change for diversity and inclusion. In addition to the dinner and awards ceremony, the event also featured #CatalystForChange social media activity and an exhibit hall that celebrated the International Women’s Day theme of #BeBoldForChange.

While change is certainly the engine that powers Catalyst’s work and the conference it remains a safe space for more than 1,600 leaders in the global business community to gather without judgment and learn how they can rethink old definitions and stereotypes to reject them in favor of inclusion. Because while many aspects of today’s world may seem polarizing, there’s always room for change. Join us and be the #CatalystForChange.

To learn more about how Catalyst is changing workplaces and changing lives every single day, visit Catalyst.org.