dawn ely, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Customer Relationship Management Software (02/28/12 show)

March 22, 2012 by dawn ely

Think Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software is only for the huge companies? Think again. Listen to today’s show to find out how CRM Software is designed to help small businesses. 02/28/2012 Show

Shelby Robert of Star-Tech, Inc., began his business career as the Data Processing Manager for a regional department store chain. The very high cost of equipment, and the long lead times to bring programs into production gave him a clear understanding of the fundamental processes that are the foundation of most businesses. He led the development of a full suite of applications to support the department store’s accounting and merchandising functions, including many leading edge innovations for the retail marketplace.

When he formed Kern Business Systems, the department store became a customer. Additional new customers included several credit unions, two major oil companies, a steel fabricator, and several agri-business firms. To support the requirements of these new customers, KBS expanded beyond its on-line computing offerings to add computer-output-microfiche to its product line. Both divisions of the company produced operating profits from their inception.

After selling KBS, Shelby accepted the position of US General Manager of a British based computer software company. The first US employee of the company, he built the sales, marketing, technical support, and administration operations, managed two of the product development teams, and served as Chief Financial Officer. As the primary American spokesman for the company, he developed and maintained strategic relationships with major global vendors. He developed and executed a sales strategy for the company that quadrupled its gross profits in a single year.

When he moved to Georgia, Shelby incorporated $uperbill Corporation, a medical billing company. The revenue model developed for the company was incentive based so that both the clients and the company would benefit from better performance. A real advantage to clients was that their costs remained fixed as a percentage of income. After four successful years in a very difficult marketplace, the company was sold.

Shelby and a partner formed Star-Tech, Inc., which was incorporated in 2005. The company markets services that run over the internet to companies of all sizes, not-for profit organizations, and churches. All of the services are sold on a subscription basis, and are hosted on the company’s own server farm. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO.

A devoted husband and father, a civic leader, an internationally published author on information process automation, a singer of barbershop harmony, and a private pilot, Shelby attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, to study Economics and Business Administration, and Fresno State University in Fresno, California to major in Electrical Engineering. He is a member of Marietta Kiwanis, the Big Chicken Chorus, Technical Association of Georgia, and serves as an elder in his church, and as a Board Member for Reconnecting Families, a local not-for-profit. He is a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Cobb County Chamber of Commerce. A former school board member and school board president, and recreation district board member, he was recently selected to receive the prestigious Flourish Award from Kennesaw State University for contributions to the performing arts in the business community. Shelby Robert’s Segment

Robert (Bob) Snelling, has a long history as a pilot at Delta Airlines. He has retired and is now currently a Delta Flight instructor. Bob has served in the legislative for many years in the 1990s. He is a graduate from the Navy Academy, he is a Vietnam Veteran and sings in a barbershop quartet. Bob is currently running for the State Congressional seat in the House District 66. Bob Snelling’s Segment

How to better utilize your internet and digital marketing techniques (01/17/2012 show)

January 19, 2012 by dawn ely

Confused about Internet Marketing? Listen to our internet marketing experts on ways you can better utilize the internet and digital marketing techniques.

01/17/12 Show

Christian Griffith serves at the Vice President of Digital Strategy at Freebairn & Company, a full-service marketing and advertising communications company located in the Buckhead Financial District of Atlanta, Georgia. Christian is responsible for helping clients to engage potential customers online utilizing a variety of digital marketing strategies and communication vehicles.

Christian started his Internet Marketing career in 1997 at the Naples Daily News developing digital advertising campaigns for local businesses in Naples and Fort Myers, Florida. After visiting Atlanta that same year, Christian fell in love with the city and joined Freebairn and Company to develop new media opportunities for their existing advertising clientele. Christian took a break from advertising in 2000 to pursue an opportunity to develop an online event ticketing company, EncoreTickets.com, which was an early adopter of Internet Marketing technologies and later sold to RazorGator Interactive, a Los Angeles-based ticket company, in 2005.

In 2008, Christian rejoined the group at Freebairn & Company as a digital strategist with the goal of helping their traditional advertising clients bridge the gap between the traditional advertising they’ve always done, and the digital opportunities available in the marketplace. Christian Griffith’s Segment

Stacy Williams’ 20 years of marketing experience laid the foundation for the creation of Prominent Placement, a full-service, award-winning Atlanta search marketing agency, in 2001. Founder and President of Prominent Placement, Stacy has grown the firm from startup to a respected leader in the industry. She is sought after nationwide as a speaker on search engine marketing.

Prior to her establishment of Prominent Placement, Stacy’s career spanned both coasts, serving at advertising agencies in both Los Angeles and Atlanta. She spent nine years at ad agency Kilgannon, most recently serving as its Director of Marketing. At Kilgannon, Stacy pioneered the agency’s Internet Marketing division and contributed significantly to the firm’s growth and success.

A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas School, she received a B.S. in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing. Stacy also received an M.A. in Communications Management from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School. She is currently President-Elect of SEMPO Atlanta, a local chapter of the global Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization.

Prominent Placement, Inc., is an award-winning, full-service search engine marketing (SEM) firm, delivering ROI that traditional marketing channels can’t touch, with a level of service that raises the bar. Since 2001, Prominent Placement has managed the entire SEM process for clients across the U.S., driving leads and revenue while empowering businesses to focus on what they do best. Prominent Placement’s customized solutions are backed by hard numbers, giving decision makers the confidence they need to make smarter decisions. Stacy Williams’ Segment

Hiring an Employee vs. a Contractor (01/10/2012 show)

January 12, 2012 by dawn ely

The current tech sector has low unemployment rate. To hire an employee or a contractor? Listen to our experts.

01/10/12 Show

Dion DeLoof, President of Anteo Group founded Anteo Group, a technology professional services firm in Atlanta, GA in 2002. Anteo Group, a technology professional services firm, solves technology problems by putting the best minds to work using our unique and innovative approach. Our hybrid model for project execution combines the best of your internal resources with the most appropriate assets from our vast network of industry experts.

Prior to Anteo Group, Dion completed a 6 year term in Europe. Several of the positions he held in Europe included: Director of European Operations for Andlock, The Hague, Netherlands; European Division Director, Engineering Services, Allegis Group, London, England; and Director of U.K. Operations, IT Services, Allegis Group, London, England.

Under Dion’s leadership, Anteo Group has been awarded the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s prestigious A+ employer award 7 years in a row including #1 and named to Entrepreneur Magazines Hot 100 Companies. Dion was honored with the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40under40 award. Dion holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hope College. Dion DeLoof’s Segment

Edwin Marcial is a Senior Vice President and the Chief Technology Officer for the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Mr. Marcial has over 19 years of experience in the technology industry architecting and developing software systems. His experiences include 4 years working with Harris Energy Control Systems division where he was part of a team developing distributed energy management systems. He joined Continental Power Exchange (CPEX) in 1996 and in 1998 his technical vision led to the design of an Internet based commodity trading system that would evolve to become the ICE trading platform. In 2000, CPEX became the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and the ICE Trading System was launched.

Today Mr. Marcial leads a team of very talented technologists as they continue to enhance the ICE’s core trading, clearing and data systems and build new applications for the advancement of the Intercontinental Exchange. In 2011 Mr. Marcial was named as one of Computerworld’s Premiere 100, in 2010 he was name one of the top 10 CIOs on Wall Street, in 2009 he was named as one of InfoWorld’s top 25 CTOs, and in 2007 Mr. Marcial was named the Georgia Corporate CIO of the Year. Mr. Marcial holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Florida’s College of Engineering. Edwin Marcial’s Segment

Bending the Healthcare Cost Curve for Employers (11/22/2011 show)

November 24, 2011 by dawn ely

Health care & insurance costs are still out of control. What’s next? Listen to our experts.

Doug Field is the CEO and Founder of the Institute for HealthCare Consumerism and a serial entrepreneur particularly in the industry of media. He is also the CEO and Founder of Field Media. Mr. Field has held roles since 1980 in the publication industry such as interm CEO for Merco Media, President and COO of Enterprise Communication. Mr. Fields is a graduate from Ohio State University with a BA in journalism. Doug Field Segment

W. Thomas Haynes is the Executive Director of The Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association, a U. S. based trade association that represents and serves all of the licensed Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. He previously served as General Counsel of Coca-Cola North America and a member of the Executive Leadership team for the Coca-Cola business in the Western Hemisphere.

In addition to his Coca-Cola work, he serves in a variety of capacities with organizations committed to free markets and limited government, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a member of the Board of Practitioners of The Federalist Society and a member of the Board of Advisors of The Transatlantic Law Forum. He previously served as the President of the Association Health Care Coalition and has testified before Congressional Committees on four separate occasions on the unique challenges posed by regulation of U. S. health care insurance on efforts by private businesses to access affordable health care insurance alternatives. W. Thomas Haynes Segment

John Linss has over 29 years of experience in a variety of business & technology arenas. A serial entrepreneur, John has often provided executive coaching and has spoken and consulted on topics ranging from sales & marketing to technology, healthcare, and business strategy related to both business and government. He also has served as an adjunct professor in the Emory University Goizueta School of Business.

John’s professional career has focused on establishing, acquiring, growing, or turning around innovative business ventures. His formal education includes Bachelor of Science majors in Economics and Interpersonal Communications at the University of Georgia. He writes occasionally for various publications and is a contributor to the 1st and 2nd edition of Patients Beyond Borders.

Now, as the Chairman and Founder of MedServ Global, he and the team are defining and driving the emerging global health care market. John Linss Segment

Public Relations (PR) Firms (11/08/2011 show)

November 9, 2011 by dawn ely

Listen to our experts on Public Relations (PR Firms)

11/08/2011 Show

Ed Van Herik provides strategic assessment and counsel on integrated communications for companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies. His company, Van Herik Communications, advises clients on how to develop PR campaigns to sway target audiences, including overall plan development, appropriate messaging and tactical implementation.

Van Herik Communications staffers have won public relations awards for publicizing the potential of electric cars (new product); for the unveiling of a merger that created a Fortune 500 company; and for co-authoring a pivotal white paper on energy efficiency, electric transportation and the environment.

Van Herik served as a principal TV spokesman for an electric utility during the California energy crisis, and spent several years after that involved in issues management and strategic communications planning and implementation. He recently ended a two-year stint acting as in-house communications lead for AARP Georgia. Ed Van Herik’s Segment

Debbie Fitzgerald has16 years of PR experience (eight in Los Angeles, eight in Atlanta) and nine years entertainment industry experience. She is the 2011 co-chair for the Independent Counselors special interest group of PRSA Georgia, and she upholds strict adherence to the PRSA Code of Professional Standards and Code of Ethics. She earned a B.S. in business administration, with a concentration in marketing and a minor in theater from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Debbie Fitzgerald’s Segment

Stephen Terrell is the Senior Vice President of Market Development and Branding of The Lifeline Program, one of the oldest and most-established life insurance settlement providers in the nation. The company actively partners with insurance agencies and broker dealers to establish profitable and ongoing life settlement business lines.

Terrell is responsible for all aspects of the company’s sales and marketing efforts including sales-force management, advertising, public relations and development of broker-dealers and agent networks. Terrell began his career in insurance settlements with The Lifeline Program in 1991 and has witnessed the industry’s growth from a virtually unknown niche business to a mainstream financial player. He has been instrumental in creating the company’s brand, advertising messages and marketing materials as well as establishing the company’s corporate image, policies and procedures. Stephen Terrell’s Segment

Information on International Businesses Coming to Atlanta (10/04/2011 show)

October 12, 2011 by dawn ely

International companies need help localizing their successes at home here in Atlanta. Now they have it.

10/04/11 Show

Mike Gomez is President of Allegro Consulting. Mike is an aerospace engineer by training and served in that role as a civilian for the U.S. Navy. He is also a former officer in the U.S. Air Force. He has served in an executive capacity with Areospace giants such as McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Lockheed where he was credited with over 5 billion dollars worth of international military fighter aircraft sales. And as a program manager he led a 4 year – 2.5 million program to design, build and deliver 25 fighter jets to the Israeli Air Force. He’s worked with governments and businesses in over 20 countries including Israel, Kuwait and the Philippines. As President of Allegro Consulting he advises companies on a wide range of issues that affect growth such as strategic planning and sales process improvement. He led his small business client on a remarkable path from 8 million to 35 million in just under 3 years. Mike Gomez Segment

John Klausen is President and Managing Director of Noliac North America. He was appointed here in 2009 to open up Noliac’s North American operations. He has a background in marketing from the International Business College in Denmark. He has a background for many years of being country sales manager for international companies, has also ran international consulting companies with strategic logistics. He has been a regional sales manager for Noliac as well in other regions in the world. John Klausen Segment

Big Company Logistics for the Small & amp; Mid-Sized Business (08/23/2011 show)

August 25, 2011 by dawn ely

Think your business is too small to get sophisticated logistics support for your international exporting or expansion? Think again. Companies previously serving just the multi-million & billion dollar businesses are now specializing in serving the small to mid-sized businesses and their needs. Listen here to how.

08.23.2011 Show

Melanie Alavi is a Marketing professional who has worked for UPS for the past 12 years in various Marketing roles, including: International Marketing, Strategic Account Marketing, and Segment Marketing. She currently serves as the Small Business Marketing Manager for UPS’s South Atlantic District (servicing North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia).

Prior to receiving her MBA at Thunderbird in 1999, she worked and lived in Madrid, Spain for 4 years – working for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and later at a privately held telecommunications company.

Over the years she has travelled throughout Europe, to West Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali), Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. She speaks fluent Spanish. Melanie is married to Shahin Alavi, a first generation Iranian, and they have two daughters, Nadia (5) and Ariana (3). Melanie Alavi Segment

Lilia Postolachi is the Director for International Services and Membership since January of 2007 she has directed international marketing, strategic planning, program development, needs assessment, internal/external communications and implementation of joint go-to-market strategies for WTC Atlanta members.

Lilia has more than a decade of international experience, that includes being the Dossier Coordinator for the 2^nd largest facilitator of international Adoptions in the US and the Manager International Tourism Department for “Holiday Service” Largest Tour operator in Moldova. She is originally from Moldova and has an Associate Degree In Nursing, Medical College, Tigina, Moldova along with a BA in Psychology from the State University of Tiraspol, Moldova. She is also ISF Certified by the World Academy in Export Compliance, Documentation & Procedures. She is fluent in Russian, Romanian, English. Lilia Postolachi Segment

Doing Business in Ecuador – It’s a Great Economy for Construction & Small/Mid-Sized Businesses (06/28/2011 show)

June 29, 2011 by dawn ely

If you are thinking of expanding outside of the US for your business, South America should be an area you consider and Ecuador must be on your list to explore. The construction business is booming and small to mid-sized businesses flourish. The quality of life is fantastic.

06/28/11 Show

Ana Pierina Arteaga Lomeli is from Chone, Ecuador and moved to the United States on 1997. She is currently working as the Ecuadorian Consulate in Atlanta. She is also engaged in studies at Kennesaw State University for International Affairs. Ana Pierina Arteaga Lomeli’s Segment

Luis Abarca is currently the Vice-President of the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and has been part of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) by representing ING as Board Member at Large supporting the Hartford and Atlanta chapters. Luis is originally from Ecuador, South America, and arrived in the US in 1993. Luis graduated in 1999 from Central Connecticut State University with a BS in Management and Organization.

Luis is also the Community Relations Director at the ING Foundation and the Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for promoting the spirit of service by coordinating national volunteer activities, raise employee engagement by leading the Employee Giving Campaign and Sponsorship activation/event management targeting Hispanic/Latino communities. His main responsibilities cover all the ING sites across the United States. Major focal areas are financial literacy, children’s education, diversity and environmental sustainability.

Prior to that role, Luis was a Community Relations Manager for three years, Operations Supervisor in Hartford, CT and the Chair of the ING Latino Resource Group (Hartford Chapter). Luis has been an active member of the Network since 2002 supporting various non-profit activities. Luis Abarca, Jr’s. Segment

Malena Barahona Hankins, president of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools which is a standard setting business in the field and the “Life Lesson” service provided by helping to prevent drownings. Drownings are the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. The establishment of World of Swim as a not for profit organization and the types of organizations that can be helped where swimmers give back through this endeavor. Malena recently won the 25k open water national championship for women 35-39 and swam the event through World of Swim with the proceeds going to the March of Dimes. She continues to compete on a National and International level representing the United States.

Malena experienced seveal challenges as an Ecuadorian to establish herself, her family and her business in the United States, but she was successful. As a small business owner it is increasingly important in these economic times that large entities continue to support organizations such as the Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce and in turn small businesses like Aqua-Tots. As a proud Ecuadorian it gives her a great sense of accomplishment to be able to serve this community and country through her business as well as through her lifelong passion of swimming. Malena Hankins’ Segment

The Ecuadorian-American Chamber is having a business Expo and Fair Saturday July 23 from 10-4 with a Reception from 4-6pm at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest. Please plan to attend. More information can be found at: Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce

Business Innovations and Trends in Georgia (02/15/2011 show)

February 16, 2011 by dawn ely

Innovations and trends to impact your business. Listen to our experts.

02/15/2011 Show

Brian Denker is the VP and Global Head of Growth Innovation and Leadership at Frost & Sullivan. He oversees the globalization and continued development of Frost & Sullivan’s premiere global community of Growth Innovation and Leadership. This community provides a unique platform for engaging top industries, visionaries, innovators and top thought leaders to share, engage and inspire one another with ideas and fresh perspectives as a way to develop new insights which enable members to anticipate and respond to complex issues. Brian Denker’s Segment

Rick Daigle, Partner of B2B CFO Partners and for the past five years he has served as the part-time CFO and trusted business advisor for clients in numerous business industries including constructions, contracting, manufacturing, retail, law-firms, advertising technology, healthcare technology, medical practices and telecom. Prior to joining B2B, Rick applied his own managerial skills to a seven year project developing a healthcare technology internet start up company in Atlanta. Rick’s extensive work took notice when he received a US software patent for methods and systems for object based relationship distributed databases.

Rick is a devoted husband and father. He holds a Computer Science degree from Louisiana State University and is Six Sigma trained with an advanced certified pro advisor certification in all Quickbook products. Rick presently serves on the committee for the MIT enterprise forum and volunteers for numerous community organizations. Rick Daigle’s Segment