Year: 2016

7 apps to make a more efficient, organized you

By Kelly Limpert, Digital Media Content Producer

17470913285_01d630162b_bQuick, who is the current director of the FBI?

If your first instinct was to grab your smartphone, you’re not alone. An almost unfathomable amount of knowledge can be accessed from our handheld devices, and yet, what do many people do on their phones? Check social media. How many hours a day do you spend aimlessly scrolling through Facebook or Twitter? Probably more than you’d like to admit.

Our phones have so much more potential than being used for seeing baby pictures or updates from that not-really-your-friend-but-still-here “friend.”

So to help break our habit of endless, mindless scrolling, here is a list of seven apps to help you reclaim your phone and maximize its potential.

1. Wunderlist

I could go on for hours about how much Wunderlist has helped me get organized. This digital to-do list is sleek and simple. You can share your lists with others and even assign tasks. You also get the satisfaction of checking things off your to-do list. And who doesn’t love that feeling?

2. Pocket

How often do you come across an interesting story but don’t have a free moment to actually read it? With Pocket you can stash away that story for a later time. You can save stories from Facebook and Twitter, and news apps like Flipboard. Then, when you get a spare second, all the stories you have saved will be waiting for you.

3. Pushbullet

Technically speaking, Pushbullet is an app that connects your computer to your mobile device through a web browser. Essentially, you can read your text messages, transfer files and check your notifications right on your computer. This app is especially handy if your job requires you to have your eyes borderline glued to a computer screen all day. It’s much easier to read and respond to a text message from a browser window than digging your phone out of your pocket or purse to respond.

4. Evernote

In my humble opinion, this is the best note-taking app—and I’m not alone in my thinking. From the app you can set a reminder note, write a simple text note, write a note in your own handwriting, take a picture or start a work chat. It’s my tech version of Post-its.

5. LastPass

Do you work with sensitive information on a daily basis? Or maybe you have trouble remembering all your passwords. Either way, this password generator produces hard-to-hack passwords just for you. You simply create one master password and then this app will generate and auto-fill login information for you. It also comes with a desktop version. This is definitely worth a look.

6. RescueTime

Want a reality check for how much time you’re actually spending on Facebook? The free version tracks minutes spent on various sites or applications.

7. IF

This is a nifty little app that could come in handy for several different reasons. It allows you to set up “recipes” for certain activities on your phone. Simply put, you are telling your phone if this happens then this happens (e.g.- If I post to Instragram then save that photo to Dropbox). There are thousands of combinations you can try.

Bonus:
For my android wielding friends, I have two more.

Clean Master. SUPER EASY WAY TO CLEAR YOUR CACHE. That’s pretty much all I need to say about this. Clean up your phone, check the temperature of your CPU and other fun things to improve the overall run time and efficiency of your device.

Battery Doctor. This is an absolutely delightful power-saving app, brought to you by the brilliant minds that developed Clean Master. It takes one tap to stop all the power-draining apps from running. Plus it comes with other power saving features, including one to speed up charging times.

Photo: Japanexperterna.se via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

3 Things to expect from the 2016 Republican National Convention if you work in downtown Cleveland

By Bethany Chambers, Digital Operations Manager

 
Cleveland is only a month away from becoming a hotbed of political discourse, even though the 2016 Republican National Convention isn’t until July. According to convention insiders, the international media, conventioneers and more are expected to begin filing into the city in June. So if your plan was to get as far away from here as possible, you’ll need to have banked extra vacation time to avoid the city for the month it sits squarely in the spotlight.

As it turns out, though, that may not be as big of a problem as you’re imagining. Here’s what Clevelanders — and weary weekday commuters — can expect from the upcoming convention.

A Browns Stadium-full worth of visitors — which actually isn’t that many.

The city is expecting 72,000 people during the height of the convention, between delegates, visitors, the media, GOP convention employees and more. According to organizer estimates, there will be more media (15,000) than protestors (5,000) in that group. Altogether it’s the equivalent of a packed Browns Stadium (even if that’s hard to imagine).

While that sounds like a lot of people, it’s not in the context of other, smaller cities that put on much larger events. Look at Daytona Beach, Florida: This city of 62,000 people routinely hosts crowds that are 4x the size of the RNC — and all within a month of each other between the Daytona 500 and Bike Week. Estimates put attendance at 500,000 during the years when I was a reporter in the city. And guess what? Despite what can only be described as a raucous atmosphere, deaths were in the single-digits and residents got used to roadblocks and engine noise.

And remember: Daytonans do this yearly.

Photo credit: erinmariepage via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
At least Cleveland won’t be expecting 70,000 people and their motorcycles. (Photo credit: erinmariepage via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND)

Odd bedfellows will make for engaging TV.

In the last year, ESPN and MSNBC have hosted live broadcasts on East 4th Street. Now they could be broadcasting live in the same week.

Last month the Press Club of Cleveland hosted the panel “All Eyes on CLE: The RNC, 15,000 media and how you can get a piece of the spotlight” discussing expectations with convention producers, local media and tourism officials. A question came up about how the city would handle the unbelievable: The Cavs in the NBA Finals as the Republican National Committee begins setting up at Quicken Loans Arena.

Convention  executive producer Phil Alongi answered by saying “some of us are hoping it’s an early dismissal this year,” for the Cavs, before adding “I’ve got to put it out there.”

That didn’t go over well with an audience that hasn’t had a championship in 52 years.

I threw that point out to Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cavs and The Q, at a Duquesne University alumni event the next week. Komoroski played a significant role in bringing the convention to Cleveland.

After starting his response with “geez, Phil,” Komoroski said Cleveland can still bring home a trophy — and a successful convention.

“The RNC has been a terrific partner and they have done a plan based on us working to be in the Finals that gives them a full month. They’d usually plan to have six weeks, but they’re going to come in on days we aren’t working.”

Aside from sports fans, there will be another group with far less branded apparel. New York-based artist Spencer Tunick, who once got nearly 3,000 people to appear naked en masse on the East Ninth Street pier, announced he’ll be back during the convention for a small-scale nude photo shoot. Mercifully, this will not be on East Fourth Street in front of the TV cameras.

The SportsCenter crowd and the evening news crowd could become one and the same.
The SportsCenter crowd and the evening news crowd could become one and the same.

Traffic won’t be as bad as you think, but restaurant reservations will be worse.

When the RNC was in Tampa in 2012, traffic was a problem. Fortunately, Cleveland has public transportation, where Tampa did not, said Destination Cleveland’s Emily Lauer.

“Most businesses are completely overplaying the disruption,” she said, speaking at the Press Club.

Many organizations (and most state delegations) who are staying outside the city will be arriving by bus, not by individual cars, which will lighten traffic on the freeways. For some of these visitors, the commute will be way worse than yours. About 5 percent of the delegations, including California’s, are staying at Kalahari and Sawmill Creek resorts … 60 miles away in Sandusky.

Parts of downtown will be off limits thanks to a security perimeter being established around The Q. That could mean finding creative routes into work, but is that really any different than what we’ve faced with the Public Square project or any of the other road construction?

Where you will find trouble is in getting into hot spots; if your favorite restaurant has Zack Bruell or Michael Symon’s names attached, you can be pretty sure private bookings will make getting a table a challenge. The good news is: As Cleveland has grown as a foodie destination, myriad smaller establishments off the beaten path will keep you from going hungry.

If you book your lunch reservations now, learn some new routes into the office (whether by foot, bus or car) and plan to enjoy the incredible people-watching that will be on display, the convention will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you get to witness — or as Alongi said, that “you’re playing a supporting role in it.”

To quote Komoroski on this one: “It’s OK to feel good about Cleveland.”

Chambers was formerly a newspaper reporter in Daytona Beach and an expert panelist for the “Ballot 2008” TV news program at WMFE Orlando. She enjoys the sport of politics even more than she dislikes long commutes.

The power of pets as digital influencers

By Allison Barwacz, Digital Media Content Producer

cute-puppy-foterThere’s a reason Grumpy Cat became an instant online celebrity. He’s quirky yet simple, ugly yet cute and funny yet mean…. all at the same time.

People love pets, and the numbers don’t lie. According to an article on NBCNews.com, Americans were projected to spend more than $60 billion on their pets in 2015.

There’s no denying that large-scale companies that are integrating pets into their digital strategies are a step ahead of the game. Why? Because pets create emotional connections. They make people laugh and smile. They give your company that hard-to-come-by extra “follow” or “like.”

“People have this innate perception that pets generate these warm, happy, fuzzy feelings,” says Loni Edwards, owner of Chloe, a mini Frenchie who’s also an Internet sensation (seriously, Google “Mini Frenchie” and her Instagram page is one of the first results), in a Digiday article. “Brands are starting to reach out because they make people genuinely happy, and they want their ads to make people happy.”

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), a check-off program established by the propane industry that leads safety and training efforts among propane retailers and drives technology development, has embraced the concept of pet influencers: The face of its newest campaign is Blue, a Portuguese pointer.

“We brought these advertising concepts to focus groups, to propane customers around the country,” says Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. “The one thing I discovered is, they love dogs. In fact, most of our customer base seems to have two or three dogs per household. They were very interested in the concept, and some of them were saying, ‘I want to know what Blue is going to do next, so I might even follow him on Facebook.’”

PERC also touched on the connection it believes Blue is going to form with propane customers.

“It’s [the campaign] designed to raise familiarity and favorability among propane customers and prospective customers,” says Gregg Walker, director of communications for PERC. “It’s going to feature a lovable character named Blue, who we think is going to create a real emotional connection between propane customers and the fuel that we sell.”

Companies like FedEx, Facebook and Uber have also integrated pets into their social media strategies. Uber even went so far as to partner with animal shelters in 10 U.S. cities in connection with the Puppy Bowl to deliver puppies to interested parties.

Tag your friends who know how to give a world-class chin scratch. A photo posted by Facebook (@facebook) on

And this emotional connection is one that businesses, whether B2C or B2B, are embracing.

“Brands aren’t making pets famous — it’s the other way around,” says Jill Sherman, senior vice president of social strategy at DigitasLBi, in the Digiday article. “And with the pressure to create a constant stream of new and interesting content, brands are searching for influence and reach in all forms.”

The digital world is changing, and pets are playing a crucial role in the revolution.

And luckily for us, we’re certain to see more of it.

Allison Barwacz joined North Coast Media in 2014. She completed her undergraduate degree at Ohio University where she received a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She works across a number of digital platforms, which include creating eNewsletters, writing articles and posting across social media sites.

Photo: Ashley Linh Trann ♥ / photo on flickr

Qualities that make good leaders

By Kevin Yanik, Managing Editor

 

10141810486_cc4cdbfcf7What’s the one thing you must have to be a leader?

Is it commitment, competency or compassion? How about confidence or courage?

Those are all good traits of leaders, but one can’t be a leader without a follower.

That was one of the messages Karl H. Watson Jr., former president of Cemex USA, delivered to those who attended the recent Young Leaders Conference of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Cemex is a global building materials company whose U.S. network includes 13 cement plants, 46 strategically located distribution terminals, 74 aggregate quarries and more than 350 ready-mix concrete plants.

Although Watson’s message was directed to aggregate producers, equipment manufacturers and others in the aggregate industry, his message transcends industries.

“The one thing you must have to be a leader is a follower,” Watson says.

The concept is a simple one and, yes, somewhat obvious. But, as Watson dove deeper into leadership, his discussion shifted to leaders and bosses.

Leaders aren’t necessarily bosses, he says, and bosses aren’t necessarily leaders. Leaders can be bosses and bosses can be leaders, but one isn’t necessarily inherent in the other.

“Leadership is earned,” Watson says. “Leadership is a learned response.”

Bosses who exude leadership don’t bark orders to employees without explaining why employees should perform a task. Always explain the reason behind the task, he says. Employees are more likely to buy into the task with that approach, and they’ll likely perform it more efficiently or more safely. They’ll also feel like they’re invested in the process.

“Never tell someone what to do unless you tell them why,” Watson says.

A related takeaway on leadership in the workplace, delivered at the Young Leaders Conference by Hal Williford, president of Memphis Stone & Gravel Co., is to let your employees know how much you appreciate them.

“Everybody likes praise,” Williford says. “I don’t care who you are. You’ll be surprised how much a ball cap or a free lunch will do for somebody.”

Kevin Yanik joined North Coast Media in 2012 and has worked in B2B media for more than seven years in various editorial positions. Kevin is a Cleveland native and a 2006 graduate of John Carroll University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Photo credit: ocd007 via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

5 steps to a smooth summer internship program

By Diane Sofranec, Managing Editor

Internships are a win-win for the students who land them and the companies that offer them.

While interns gain valuable professional experience, the companies they work for get a unique opportunity to mentor workers who are about to launch their careers.

Handshake_640x427But that’s not all. An intern can bring a fresh perspective to your company’s way of doing business. Students with technological skills and social media savvy can share their knowledge and enthusiasm with employees who are slow to embrace all that the Internet has to offer. Plus, interns who make meaningful contributions to your company become ideal job candidates when employment opportunities arise.

But before you put out a call for help, take these five important steps:

Determine exactly what an intern can do for you and your company.

Do you and your colleagues have a full workload because you’re not working hard or smart enough? Is a special project putting the squeeze on your time and talents? If you have a surplus of meaningful work, consider hiring an intern. But remember, you’ll have your summer intern for only about three months, not indefinitely.

Aim to make a lasting impression.

Assign tasks that will provide your intern with new skills and capabilities. Add your intern to the team in charge of a special project at your company. Assign your intern a task that must be completed by the end of summer. That way, your intern will come away with an accomplishment or two to include on a resume.

Develop a detailed plan.

Create a list of daily or weekly duties for the entire summer. Make sure it includes more than fetching coffee and making copies. You’re not hiring a trained monkey, after all. Match the tasks to your intern’s interests and field of study. Incorporate performance reviews so you can offer guidance and measure your intern’s progress.

Designate a mentor.

Appoint a trusted employee to work with your intern. Give your employee the authority to answer questions, assign tasks, and approve timesheets. Choose a good role model who will demonstrate appropriate office behavior. Patience and a desire to help are important qualities, too.

Carefully consider compensation.

Interns often are paid for their services. The amount usually depends on the complexity of the duties or the status of the student. High school students may receive minimum wage or less whereas college seniors may be paid more, for example. If you don’t plan to pay your intern, learn the law the U.S. Department of Labor enacted under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

With proper planning, an internship can be a rewarding experience for all involved. Contact the guidance offices at your local high schools, colleges and universities to see how your company can get involved.

Diane Sofranec has more than 25 years experience in B2B media. She is managing editor of North Coast Media’s Pest Management Professional magazine, and enjoys working with the interns NCM hires every summer.

Photo credit: flazingo_photos via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

NCM’s Bethany Chambers honored with Top Women in Media Award

Bethany_Chambers_72CLEVELAND – April 20, 2016 – North Coast Media is proud to announce that Digital Operations Manager Bethany Chambers has been chosen as one of Folio magazine’s Top Women in Media awards honorees in the Rising Stars category.

The annual list is composed of the most influential women in media, and celebrates their creativity and accomplishments. Honorees are chosen for their demonstrated ability to “move their teams, brands, and companies forward, make strides in their respective markets, and create lasting impressions on their colleagues.”

Chambers and other winners from organizations including Bloomberg Media, Entertainment Weekly, ESPN The Magazine and Yahoo News will be honored during an awards luncheon at the Yale Club in New York City on Thursday, June 9, 2016.

“I am extremely proud of all that Bethany has achieved since joining the North Coast Media team. Thanks to her leadership and strategic vision, digital revenue and metrics have grown in every year of her tenure,” said Steve Galperin, North Coast Media’s vice president of finance & operations.

“Her vast knowledge and ease of explaining complex terminology to her peers has given the sales teams confidence to include Bethany on their sales calls. Her colleagues appreciate her ability to see things from all sides.”

Since joining North Coast Media in 2012, Chambers has championed new product development, content strategy and strong client relationships as the keys to boosting digital revenue.

Under her direction, the company and its brands have seen website page views grow 184 percent and digital revenue double.

Chambers and her team of five create and maintain all of the digital properties associated with the company’s six print publications, seven digital magazines, 22 websites and 23 unique e-newsletters – in addition to dozens of social media accounts and hundreds of e-blasts.

Prior to joining NCM, Chambers worked in the media industry in a variety of roles, from B2B digital editor to newspaper reporter and expert panelist for a local TV news program. Chambers has a bachelor’s degree in business from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in interactive publishing from Northwestern University’s Medill School. She has won numerous awards for her writing and reporting and is a National Press Club fellow.


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