Business

Entrepreneurs dreaming of starting their own business probably spend the majority of their time on the creative side of things as opposed to looking at the financial picture. Luckily, a company called Adesso360 can help put money back in your pocket.

It’s the first platform of its kind that takes the complexity out of taxes and is designed to help the self-employed file for FFCRA. If you’re trying to get back on your feet following COVID-19 or looking to take your company to the next level, this may be for you. Also, it’s designed by experts in the financial industry.

– Vikki Locke, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

Celebrate the seventh annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day on Friday, Dec. 8, at the 137th Special Operations Wing Oklahoma National Guard Base. Maj. (Ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, renowned for her 9/11 service, will provide the keynote.

Attendees will also hear from Woman of the Year Col. (Ret.) Eileen Collins, the first female pilot and commander of a space shuttle. Breakout panels will explore women in the military and aviation leadership.

The luncheon honors women’s outstanding contributions to the industry; tickets are available for $35. Don’t miss this event for the aviation and aerospace community in Oklahoma: https://bit.ly/2023OKWIAA.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

The pursuit of innovation and an intimate understanding of one’s audience are nonnegotiable for associations. We bridged the gap for students, shedding new light on the nature of various careers by creatively using archetypes and avatars. We created three comics, a video game and an immersive website – bringing diverse professions to life.

This initiative serves as a compass, guiding students towards unexplored job paths. We showcase an astounding 54 industries, unveiling many well-compensated and essential occupations that may otherwise remain unknown. These efforts support dreams and opportunities in a world where all workers and their communities are healthy and safe​.

– Ben H. Rome, American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), The Association 100

In our latest A100 video, Alice Locatelli, senior director of digital strategies, Society of Actuaries, discusses the organization’s transformative digital strategies aimed at optimizing user experiences. With a robust focus on individualized, user-centric approaches, SOA is enacting groundbreaking enhancements in digital interaction and member engagement.

“It’s about putting the right content in front of the right eyeballs rather than having all the content available for everyone, offering a personalized experience to fulfill individual needs and preferences,” Locatelli shares.

Get a peek into ongoing projects and learn about the organization’s innovative use of AI and vision for a personalized digital landscape.

– Colleen Lerro Gallagher, OnWrd & UpWrd, The Association 100

Not long ago, you could find countless articles lamenting the slow-but-inevitable demise of the manual transmission. But according to J.D. Power, sales have nearly doubled since 2021. Why?

As you might’ve guessed, Gen Z came through in the “clutch.” And the more you think about it, their love affair with a third pedal makes sense; manuals are fun, cheap, counterculture and can’t be taken away from them via software updates. In a way, it’s their equivalent of Gen Y’s penchant for record players.

Plus, as single-gear EVs start dominating the market, the appeal of rowing your own mechanical gears intensifies.

– Chris Butsch, The Arizona 100

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell launched the “Move to Oklahoma” campaign, targeting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to attract talent to a state that is a great place to live.

The largest alumni clubs for Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma are in Dallas. “Move to Oklahoma” boasts the following:

• An average commute time of 21.7 minutes, the ninth shortest in the country.

• The second lowest cost of living.

• Most affordable housing, with a typical single-family home priced at $200,000.

• Lower utility rates and healthcare costs.

Pinnell said, “We want to welcome our alumni, their families and friends back home.”

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Did you know that 26.6% of internet users ages 16-64 discover new brands, products and services through social media ads? What does this mean? Paid advertising is now an essential part of your marketing strategy.

In addition to driving potential sales and leads to your business, paid advertising also increases your brand visibility and engagement, and improves website traffic.

While there are many online marketing avenues available, the most impactful and effective include Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads and Facebook/Instagram Ads.

Read more at c2-com.com to learn about the specific advantages and key benefits of using these digital marketing platforms.

– Marie Gabrielle Patasin, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

In today’s hyper-competitive business world, having a quality product or service is only part of the equation for success. With competitors just a click away, customers are attracted to, and stick with, businesses who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to caring for their customers’ unique needs.

Through innovations in artificial intelligence and marketing automation, businesses can now effortlessly create and maintain ongoing, personalized care relationships with customers in ways that were not even possible to imagine previously. This paves the way for a better, more engaging experience for customers.

Curious to learn more about these innovative possibilities? Click here to begin.

– Staff report, The Arizona 100

It doesn’t matter if you are a restaurant, a car mechanic or a retail store, a study by Episerver reports that 92% of consumers visit your website before making a purchase.

So, how can you attract more visitors and convert them to loyal customers?

Take control of your Google Ads and leverage the power of AI to drive more people to your website. Identify more of your website visitors with a program such as Visual Visitor WebID. Then, automate engagement by sending a welcome email or triggering a drip email campaign through Constant Contact or a more advanced CRM, ActiveCampaign.

– Cyndee Woolley, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma is collaborating with Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma to improve the commute of individuals in Oklahoma City. Goodwill employs many individuals who often face transportation challenges.

A $5,000 donation from Aetna, a CVS Health company, to Goodwill will be used to purchase bicycles for Goodwill employees facing transportation challenges.

The first recipient, Robert Harris, has been tirelessly walking to and from Goodwill for work during the past year. Aetna’s generosity of the bicycle and helmet will make his commute more convenient and sustainable, allowing him more freedom to get to where he wants to go.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Discover the art of managing change and the rising impact of AI on standards in our latest episode featuring Barb Jones, CEO, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Jones, who leads an organization with a rich history spanning five decades, sheds light on the seamless navigation of change when rooted in a strong mission: “It’s the biggest tool you have. It’s sitting right there. And if you’re not utilizing everybody’s connection to your mission, you’re wasting your greatest tool.”

Tune in for a deep dive into AI’s potential, change management and the challenges of bringing in new voices to your association.

– Meghan Henning, OnWrd & UpWrd, The Association 100

Artificial intelligence is impacting the real estate industry significantly. AI-powered algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data for property valuation, market research, predictive analytics and property searches. Additionally, agents are using AI to create virtual tours and 3D models for marketing.

While AI brings many benefits to the real estate industry, it also raises concerns related to data privacy, bias in algorithms and job displacement for some roles in the industry. It is essential for real estate professionals and policymakers to address these issues and ensure that AI technologies are used both responsibly and ethically in the real estate sector.

– Pat Pitocchi, Downing-Frye Realty, Inc., The SWFL 100

With so many hats to wear throughout the day, PR (public relations) professionals often get pulled in different directions with a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Below are some tips on how to best manage those busy work days:

1. Communicate with your teams on your workload.

2. Plan out your week. While this can be easier said than done, set certain days to work on specific client work.

3. Avoid multitasking. Stay focused on one task at a time.

4. Write a to-do list. Studies have shown that if you write something down, you are more likely to remember and complete the task.

– Blake Pousson, ECPR Texas, The Austin 100

Events serve as dynamic platforms where professionals from your industry come together to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends and build valuable connections. Participating in relevant conferences, trade shows, workshops and networking events can significantly enhance your visibility and credibility.

To make the most of event opportunities and ensure your participation drives results, follow these proactive steps:

• Engage in thoughtful conversations.

• Offer value.

• Build relationships.

• Capture the moment.

Read our full blog at c2-com.com to learn more about building connections through events to leverage your business and open new doors for growth, learning and advancement in your field.

– Marie Gabrielle Patasin, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

Following an alliance with AI music startup Lemonaide, BeatStars has debuted a tool to help artists tackle what’s called “beatblock.” Seeds is an AI-powered plug-in that generates initial ideas for beats through trained AI using “voluntarily contributed data from producers” with the ability to create millions of combinations. The tool generates four-bar MIDI files, providing a starting point for tracks.

BeatStars, founded in 2008, currently serves 100 million creators, producers and artists and has been the source for songs such as “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and “Whoopty” by CJ.

Read more about BeatStars’ new music creation tool.

– Madison Mullinax, 360 Media, Inc., The Atlanta 100