You should live large – like your dog
September 4, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Ace ad copywriter John Carlton reminds us of an essential truth. To be successful, rich and happy, “we gotta be healthy.” That means taking time every…
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Be wary of stalkerware
September 3, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Jesse’s ex-boyfriend had always been difficult. He called it “over-protective because he cared.” Her family called him controlling. He wanted to know where she was and…
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You’d better make a profit – or else
August 28, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Our old boss Don Carter liked to ask job applicants what they thought was the 1st duty of a business. A few got the right answer…
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AirDrop settings may put phone at risk
August 27, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Is your iPhone open to files from strangers? If you’re an Apple products user, you may have used a feature called AirDrop. It’s a handy filesharing…
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Do you need a videographer?
August 26, 2019
By Taylor Kearns Finding the best videography services for your business Ask a barber, and he’ll tell you yes, you need a haircut. Ask a videographer if you need…
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How to super-charge your motivation
August 21, 2019
By Jerry Bellune An executive recruiter friend keeps on his desk a photo of a fire truck-red Lamborghini he wants. This is no toy. The car costs $200,000. The photo…
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New tech may prevent hot car deaths
August 20, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Each year infants, children, and pets are in danger during the summer months. The National Safety Council reports that 32 children have died so far in…
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How Engaging with Stakeholders Supports a Company’s Bottom Line
August 19, 2019
By Peter LaMotte Senior Vice President, Chernoff Newman Far too often companies forget that a strong reputation is more than just keeping your nose clean in the media. The truth…
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Don’t underestimate the power of a sticker
August 19, 2019
By Ken Gasque “The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest.” – Frank Lloyd Wright. I think this applies equally to marketing and advertising. Any fool can…
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How to get free business publicity
August 15, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Savvy business owners seek relations with local newspaper, magazine and broadcast reporters, editors and news directors. When they have something about their business the community should…
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Facebook, Youtube address ‘miracle cures’
August 13, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Have you ever been duped by a “miracle cure”? You wouldn’t be the only one. Phony physicians have promised cure-alls for health problems for hundreds of…
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Six Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement
August 12, 2019
By Jean Cecil Frick Business is about relationships, both good and bad. Successful organizations must be constantly aware of who will help move the organization forward, and those who…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications
Forget Your Job Title. Here Are 4 Reasons You Are in Sales and it’s a Good Thing!
August 10, 2019
By Dr. Cindy McGovern A firefighter, a professor, a computer repair technician and a lawyer are having dinner together. Which one is the salesperson? None, right? One is in the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice
Can you stand and deliver real value?
August 7, 2019
By Jerry Bellune What value do your products and services deliver to your customers? You know you will have to show that to your prospects. Your ‘value proposition’ is…
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Are generic cell phone chargers safe?
August 6, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Who made your cell phone charger? If it’s not your phone manufacturer, you may be at risk. Electrical Safety First, an electricity safety organization in the…
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Guarantee your advertising will work
July 31, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Highly successful retailer R.H. Macy said he suspected half of his advertising didn’t work. He just didn’t know which half. Macy was smarter than that. You…
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Breaking the Bad News: How to best deliver tough information
July 29, 2019
By Sara McCarthy We receive bad news almost every day. It comes to us indirectly through the news and social media, or directly in emails, letters, phone calls, and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications
What are your business’s values?
July 25, 2019
by Jerry Bellune Paul Davis believed that for your business to succeed you must always practice your basic values. What are yours? Here are 3 of our values: •…
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Changes to Business Entertainment Expense Deductions
July 24, 2019By Eileen M. Stevens, CFP® The introduction of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 brought many areas of uncertainty, some of which are only being clarified…
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Wait for a letter announcing jury duty
July 23, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Have you ever been summoned for jury duty? If so, you know official jury paperwork comes through the mail. For Federal cases, you may get a…
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Did your mama ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?
July 22, 2019
By Ken Gasque Why did she tell you that? Did she feel that looks were superficial and shallow? Did she feel that looks could be deceiving? Did she feel…
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Are the police after you for an accident?
July 17, 2019
By Katie Ritchie What would you do if you got a call from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department? The deputy on the phone claims he needs to discuss a…
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Rank your business on the SWAG Meter
July 17, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Last week we talked about you and your business’s SWAG. That’s: S = Self Confidence. Customers trust you because you believe in yourself. W = Wonderment.…
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Have you and your business got SWAG?
July 10, 2019
By Jerry Bellune If you are an entrepreneur or business owner striving to grow your business, you need SWAG. This attracts and keeps customers, says our friend MaryEllen Tribby.…
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Workplace Safety and Summer Heat
July 10, 2019
By David Dubberly Summer temperatures can create hazards for workers, and employers can be liable for not addressing conditions that could lead to injuries and illnesses, such as heat exhaustion…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, law, on-the-move
US Attorney prevents fraud with Bingo campaign
July 9, 2019
By Katie Ritchie “Fraud Bingo!” That was what seniors called out at a Justine Department awareness campaign. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Stephens and Rob Sneed shared tips for seniors.…
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It’s a Match: Pairing Your Passions and Career Goals
July 8, 2019
By Amanda Loveday The perfect job can be described as the combination of your passion with your potential. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with interesting and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications
Maverick entrepreneurs’ independent lives
July 7, 2019
By Jerry Bellune When anyone asks what’s so special about maverick entrepreneurs, we laugh. It’s like asking why your faith is important to you or why it is that…
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Learn to code for free
July 2, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Do you have an aspiring software developer or web designer in your family? SC Codes is an online learning platform which launched in September of 2018.…
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Your local advertising drives higher sales
June 27, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Local advertising is a small business’s best bet to attract customers, say advertising experts Brian and Michelle Mattingly. A simple, targeted approach to advertising will almost…
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FCC responds to Robocall complaints
June 26, 2019
by Katie Ritchie Did you hear the good news? We might finally get some relief from robocalls. The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to give cell phone companies more power…
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8 questions, millions of answers
June 19, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Ken Blanchard, co-author of “The One-Minute Manager,” “Raving Fans” and other books, has a challenge for us. As business owners and community leaders, we need to…
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Attorney General aims to close online sex-trafficking loophole
June 18, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Online sex-traffickers have been hiding behind a loophole in a South Carolina law. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and 46 other state attorneys general want…
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Four Common Mistakes When Engaging The Media
June 17, 2019
By Heather Matthews NP Strategy In all my years as a journalist, it never failed: 5:50 p.m. and my work phone would ring. Did the caller not know we…
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Can Absolut vodka teach us anything?
June 12, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Have your products and services become commodities? Are you forced to compete on price, discounts and other concessions? Take a lesson from a former dish washer…
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Try a free spam blocker
June 11, 2019
By Katie Ritchie If you followed the instructions from last week, you should be on track toward a much cleaner inbox. It can take up to 30 days for…
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How to get rid of email spam
June 4, 2019
by Katie Ritchie The best scam email I’ve ever gotten read as follows: Dear beneficiary, I have been mandated to inform you that, “Yvonne Wachendorfer” has come to let…
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Leaving the Nest: Financial Strategies for Life After College
June 4, 2019
By Ann J. Beckwith, CFP® With spring upon us, nearly 3 million college students are preparing to proudly accept their hard-earned college diplomas and storm the “real world.” With…
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Dog Trainer, Manager, Entrepreneur?
June 4, 2019
By Connie Cleveland A Business Owner’s Perspective Listening to a recent interview, this question was posed to comedian Brian Regan: “Your colleagues are in awe of how much material…
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Are you neglecting your best branding tool?
June 3, 2019
By Marcia Purday, APR NP Strategy Companies throughout the nation invest millions (or billions!) in their brands – from research and communication strategies, to analytics and more. But ultimately,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Make it fun to do business with you
May 29, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Dian and Gerald Harmon worked hard to make their concrete business successful and sold it for a bundle long before they were ready to retire. They…
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Use secure passwords
May 28, 2019
By Katie Ritchie Are you using a common, easily hacked password? The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) released the first UK Cyber Survey. With it, they released the 10,000…
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Social Media and the Need for Brand Standards
May 23, 2019
By J. Bradley Studemeyer NP Strategy Small businesses often find themselves in a difficult position with social media marketing: on one hand, many feel like their current revenue streams…
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Do you have enough cash to avoid disaster?
May 22, 2019
by Jerry Bellune Do you want profits or wealth? As a business owner, you need both. You cannot have wealth without profits, says our friend Ruth King of ProfitabilityRevolution.com…
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Time to upgrade your entire system?
May 21, 2019
by Katie Ritchie Do you have an older computer using Microsoft Windows software? You’ll need to update your computer. On May 14, Microsoft announced a computer bug it had…
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How to get prospects to open your emails
May 15, 2019
by Jerry Bellune Want to write subject lines that work? Subject lines that prospects will open? You are competing with the 121 other emails most of us receive each…
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Devices to block landline robocalls
May 14, 2019
by Katie Ritchie 42 Attorneys General called on the Federal Communications Commission to stop illegal robocalls and spoofing. The AGs urged the FCC to adopt proposed rules specifically targeting…
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Workplace Violence Citation Upheld – Decision Highlights Steps To Prevent Violence At Work
May 9, 2019
By David Dubberly In December 2012, a “service coordinator” (similar to a home health worker) employed by Integra Health Management Inc. was fatally stabbed during a home visit to one…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, law
The Toughest Crisis May Be the One You Don’t Know You’re In
May 8, 2019
By Erin Sanders Senior Communications Advisor with NP Strategy The shooting at the UNC Charlotte (UNCC) college campus on April 30th resulted in the death of two students and…
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How to double your productivity
May 8, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Our friend Andrea Nierenberg shared with us these ways she makes her 24 hours each day more productive: Awaken 10 minutes early and you’ll be surprised…
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