Success Issue
P. 24
Issue #3
Career
Leveraging Paid Search for Hiring in a Tight Market
5 Quick Start Tips to Jump-Start Your Business in 2019
P. 13
continuing education
WHAT DOES THE TAX CUTS & JOBS ACT MEAN TO YOU?
P.27
Winter 2018/2019
P. 43
sales/ marketing
P.16
Free Winter Classes from the Loeb School
The Key to a healthy Work/Live Balance
AllegraBoverman.com
Special Events - Conferences, Galas, Etc...
Business & Industrial Photography
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Family, Engagement, & Children's Portraits
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Community & Public Relations
Allegra Boverman Photography
Editorial - News, Features
Portraits
33
Why Solo Business Owners Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant
35
Dictanote - A Free App That Makes Writing Easy
p. 19
13
The Key to a Healthy Work/Life Balance
CONTENTS
Featured Member
p. 13
27
What Does the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Mean to You?
10
Skip the Resolutions: 3 Simple Tips for a Happy & Healthy New Year
16
Five Quick Start Tips to Jump-Start Your Business in 2019
p. 10
19
Member Spotlight: Taking Pictures at the Dump with Allegra Boverman
24
Case Study: Leveraging Paid Search for Hiring in Tight Markets
7
Editor's Note
6
Why did I name the magazine Flackery?
40
Use Caution When Dashing Through the Snow - Winter Driving Safety
48
Photo Credits
43
Just Arrived: Free Winter Classes at the Loeb School
p. 40
p. 16
p. 27
47
Business Resources
p. 24
Past Issues
p. 33
46
Business Directory Members
45
Advertising
In every issue
Wondering why the heck we named the NH Business Directory magazine flackery?
Here's a quick video with all the answers...
New Year = New Opportunity for Success
Welcome to the winter issue of Flackery. This quarter the focus is success and we've packed the magazine with expert tips, tricks, and insights to help you succeed in 2019. Jump-start your business with insights from 4 local business experts Create new habits for healthy living Tools to improve your productivity Winter Safety Finding your work/life balance and much more! We've also got a three-page spread spotlighting the work of this issue's featured member, photojournalist Allegra Boverman. Her work is amazing. She's photographed everyone from presidents to breaking news, wildlife, and kids getting a photo op with Santa and somehow manages to find a new story in every shot. We also have a special feature from Ed Carter, CPA highlighting how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will be affecting your taxes this year. (It's going to be crazy.) As we move into December and January please take a few minutes to rest and recharge. Between bad weather, holidays, and year-end tasks it can be a stressful time of year. Instead of taking a running jump into the new year, think about how you can work smarter instead of harder. And yes, this is something I have to work on too. Best wishes for a happy & healthy new year! Pat Hammond Editor/Publisher Flackery
Back to Contents
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Create a shopping list and stick to it. This is a great way to avoid buying unhealthy foods impulsively. By making a shopping list, you are more apt to be led to healthier eating options. Before going to the grocery store, make sure you have a healthy meal or snack to avoid unhealthy purchases. Studies have shown that hungry shoppers tend to reach for higher-calorie, unhealthy foods. Stephanie Edwards, Nutritionist & Healthy Eating Coach
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Exercise Commitment: 30 Minutes a week
Reduce Stress Commitment: 30 Minutes a day
3
FACT: 92% of New Year's resolutions end in failure.[1] It's no wonder when you consider that the most popular resolutions seem to require major lifestyle changes at a time of year when most of us are run down and out of energy. Lose Weight Eat Healthy Work Out Reduce Stress It takes an average of 66 days[2] to create new habits and these common resolutions require a lot of commitment to get to that 2-month mark. Or do they? Three industry professionals weigh in (pun intended) with their top tips to help you lose weight, get fit, and relax in 30-minutes or less a week. No resolutions required. 1. Source: Statistic Brain 2. European Journal of Social Psychology
Self-care can be simple and does not need to take a lot of time. Taking the time to breathe, stretch, and unwind can bring some relief to your aches and pains. You can lower stress and anxiety, clear your head and think better. Getting away from it all for a few moments with a brisk walk out doors, a few yoga moves at your desk, taking an exercise class and of course my favorite a massage are all great ways of self-care and letting the stress go. Lisa Poole, Massage Therapist
Skip The Resolutions: 3 Simple Tips For A Happy & Healthy New Year
By PAT HAMMOND, QUEEN CITY BUZZ
30-Minutes!
We all talk about achieving a work/life balance, but what does that mean and how do we do it? Human resource specialist Jessica LaPaglia shares her insights and experience looking for the middle ground between work and life. By JESSICAN LAPAGLIA, SPECTRUM CONSULTING
We all know “Work/Life Balance” is a hot topic for discussion, but it doesn’t always mean we need to work less and play more (though that certainly sounds like a terrific idea to me!) Yet, there is one often overlooked piece inherent in the work/life balance equation: taking care of yourself. Allow me to tell a quick story. In my early tenure here at Spectrum I had been working heads down, nonstop, making a name for myself. One day, after a couple of years’ tenure, my manager approached me and said simply: “You are doing a terrific job, Jessica. I just need you to improve on one thing: you need to take more time for yourself.” She went on, “Schedule your lunch in your calendar as unavailable and do something – take a run, go to the gym – you need some you time to make sure you don’t overdo it and fade away on us!” Suddenly, at that moment, the concept of self-care just seemed to click. Of course, I know I need to take care of myself, but I was so focused on my work I had forgotten to make myself a priority. That simple prompt from my manager reminded me just how important “me” time is – to your job, your life – your mental health. Employers know that a stressed individual is a stressed worker – less productive, more reactive and often “on edge.” The more stable your emotional and mental state is – the more likely you are to stay focused on the task at hand and deal with the roller coaster that is work and life. So…how do you ensure you take that time for YOU? One such method that I have used to stay on track is to establish a feedback loop – talk to your peers, managers and even your family about your goals, even for something as simple as scheduling some time each day to exercise. Then have ongoing discussions with your support team (check-ins if you will) to see how you are doing. By making yourself accountable to others, they can help you guarantee you’re doing the right things for your body and mind. Also, establish boundaries. Work with your managers to ensure a consistent work schedule whenever possible and set expectations for your workday. If your job demands end at 5 – don’t let it slide. Get out the door and onto your next adventure. Slow burn by working too much is never a good thing. Now – go forth, work hard, and always remember to take care of yourself! You’ll be a happier, healthier person and a better worker with just a bit of intention. I promise!
Book Your Appointment Today!
Jessica joined Work Opportunities Unlimited in 2005 and has held a variety of roles on the career services and staffing teams. In her current role at Spectrum Consulting’s HR staffing team, she focuses on HR search, HR interim staffing and HR consulting services. Jessica’s experience as an HR professional helps her understand what Spectrum’s clients need. To contact Jessica LaPaglia please visit SpectrumConsulting.com
167 S River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 603-738-6393
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Marketing - Good Choices Maximize Your Budget
Lisa M. Masiello, Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist, TECHmarc Labs
Ed Carter, CPA
Most buyers conduct more than 60% of their research before ever reaching out to you or your sales team. As a result, it is critical that you respond to your potential customer's inquiry quickly before your competitor does. Statistics show that almost half of sales are closed with the vendor that responds first. Why? Because as the first vendor they speak with, you are able to shape the conversation and provide a value proposition that persuades the buyer that your product or service is the best solution for their needs.
Daryl Eames, New England Web Strategies
5
John Morgan, Virtual Business Assistant
Start early in the year. Work with your accountant and financial advisor to identify a retirement account which suits your needs and set it up. The big mistake people make is to wait until late in the year when they have a better feel for how much they might have to set aside in an account. This way, when you get to a point in the year when you can predict some cash availability, the account is already set up and ready for the contribution.
Pat Hammond, NH Business Guild
You're ready to hire a virtual assistant when you realize that your time is better spent doing the income-generating activities in your business that only you can do.
Marketing - Respond Quickly to Shape the Conversation
Five Quick Start Tips to Jump-Start Your Business in 2019!
If you can't track it to a return on investment, don't spend money on it.
Networking
4
Taxes & Retirement
A strong network can be a pipeline for leads and referrals, but its greatest value is support and expertise. Find one group you can commit to, it doesn't even have to be a business group, and start building relationships. If you truly don't have time for a regular group, connect with one person. And don't forget the quid pro quo. You have to be willing to show good faith by giving referrals, sharing leads, and expertise before people will reciprocate.
Organization/Time Management
It doesn't matter if it's a product photo or headshots of the executive team, the quality of your pictures gives an instant insight into the quality of your business. And if you're still taking selfies and catalog shots with your cell phone, you're losing business. Let me introduce you to this quarter's featured member, photographer Allegra Boverman. Boverman is a master at seeing a story and sharing it through her lens. In addition to her extensive portfolio as a photojournalist for organizations such as the Union Leader and NH Business Review, you can find her taking action shots at sporting events, headshots at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and lifestyle pictures at birthday parties and bar mitzvahs. Flackery: How do you define your role as a photographer? AB: I'm a photojournalist. I've been taking pictures for most of my life and I love telling important stories about people and their businesses. Flackery: So who is your typical client? AB: I don't have a typical client. I do a variety of work. I work for several newspapers and magazines, but I also do a lot of commercial work and headshots. Then there are the events. I photograph a lot of weddings, birthdays, first communions, and bar mitzvahs. And sometimes they overlap. I recently photographed a bar mitzvah where someone asked me to do a quick headshot. The next thing I knew, other people started asking for headshots and I ended up taking business headshots at a bar mitzvah. Flackery: What is the weirdest thing you've ever photographed? AB: I had to cover an NH Public Radio (NHPR) event for a new radio signal tower at the Holderness dump. That was offbeat. It was a hilarious party atmosphere at the dump. The Director of NHPR was standing beside a table full of champagne glasses right next to the trash compactor. A few years ago I photographed a family for Cape Anne Magazine. Their son taught the family's goats how to play soccer. I like things like that, it's nice to find people doing interesting things. Flackery: In a world where everyone carries a camera in their pocket, why should people hire a photographer? AB: Cell phones are fine for snapshots, but you need quality, composed, professional images for business. Cell phone images are not high enough resolution, they lack depth-of-field. You get an instant photograph, but the quality of the image is poor. Hiring a photographer is worth the investment, especially for the editing. We shoot so many more pictures than we did on film and editing is very time consuming. Flackery: Why do you do it? AB: I enjoy it and it's something I'm very good at. I'm a people person and I like to create things. Photography is a nice way to be an artist and documenter of events. Even if I have a bad day, it's still much better than an office job. Flackery: What is your photographic style? AB: I don't know if I've formed my style yet, but I'm influenced by art. I did improv in school and I love wackiness and being spontaneous when I take pictures. It's a collaboration with the client, often I just let them do whatever they need to do to be comfortable. Flackery: How do you find the story behind the story? AB: That comes from many years of practice. There's beauty in simple moments, you just have to stop and notice them. Sometimes you get a more accurate story when you ask questions. People see you have an interest and are more comfortable showing you things. Flackery: What is your favorite subject to photograph? AB: Whatever I'm doing today. I like shooting sports, doing portraits, and news. I've been doing a lot of headshots and events lately. Any time there are people there is a photo op. Flackery: How can people reach you or view your portfolio? AB: I can be reached through my website allegraboverman.com. The link to my latest work is under the My Photos tab at the top and I update the pictures all the time.
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"You have to let the story take you where it wants to go. Ninety percent of the time I show up for an assignment and the story isn't what I expected, you have to be nimble and flexible."
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There is a lot of buzz about paid search and other types of online marketing, but very little information about how to make it work effectively for your business. I asked digital marketing expert Daryl Eames from New England Web Strategies to share a typical case study of how local businesses can leverage paid search to solve a typical business problem.
Daryl Eames, Founder & Lead Generation Specialist New England Web Strategies To learn more about how you can leverage paid search marketing for your business, visit NewEnglandWebStrategies.com today!
Employment. Seems like it’s something we rarely think about unless we hate our job, need a job because we don’t have one, or need some talent to help our business. (Full disclosure here, as the solo owner of an agency that’s been on my own for years, I’m not even sure I am employable anymore. Too much time in the wilderness will do that to you) But that’s another topic all together. So, let’s get back to the subject at hand. It’s late 2018 and the unemployment rate is bouncing somewhere around a 40+ year low. The labor participation rate recently increased for the first time in years. Available talent is at an all time low, and the competition to attract new employees is fierce. Between direct hires, staffing agencies, recruiters and job boards it’s more important than ever to get directly in front of, and communicate with potential talent. The question is, how can we do this in a way that gets us in front of prospect before they get scooped up by a staffing agency or recruiter that will charge hefty fees for the hire, or before they dive so far into the job boards that you are just another voice in the crowd, drowned out by the overflow of available job openings promising them the world? You may have guessed it by the title of this article, but paid search marketing is a great place to do just that. Human behavior being what it is these days, there are certainly some people that will head straight to Monster or Indeed to take a look at available jobs out there. However, there is also a segment of the job seeking population that will head over their favorite search engine, and search for jobs in their area. They are using phrases like “printing jobs near me”, “marketing jobs in Atlanta”, “manufacturing jobs in MA” and other various search terms that indicate they are in the market for a new employment opportunity. And this is your chance to cut through all the competition and speak to them directly. You can advertise at certain times of day, in the various markets you need to hire, bid up or down on certain age demographics and directly make your case as to why the talent should reach out and speak with you. Another strategy you can employ is to target keyword phrases that indicate an applicant is looking for a staffing or recruiting company. If you can interrupt that process and get them to contact you before the recruiting company does you just might be able to steal them away and save a big fee. Take all the money you’d have to pay a recruiter or staffing agency, invest some in this strategy to speak directly to potential employees looking for a new job today, and invest the rest of your savings into other areas of your business. Or maybe even offer an incentive to apply or for new hires to increase participation by prospective applicants. Get creative, it’s a tough hiring market out there right now and the employees are in the driver’s seat. If you want to start 2019 with your foot on the gas, you can’t be struggling to fill important roles that will help you grow your business.
By DARYL EAMES, NEW ENGLAND WEB STRATEGIES
PLANSTIN.COM
This year's new tax laws mean significant changes to deductions for you and your business
Find out everything you need to know about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will effect this year's standard deductions for you and your business. By ED CARTER, CPA
Our Plans Are Available All Year
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, affectionately known as TCJA, has been one of the most controversial and sweeping such legislation in the recent past. The objectives of the Act, as stated, was to provide tax reductions for American lower income taxpayers, provide relief for corporations in an effort to attract business back to the United States and a simplification of the tax system. Effects of the Act are estimated to cost on the order of 1.5 trillion dollars over the next ten years. This is expected by its lawmakers, to be recouped by a resurgence of the economy and additional jobs, resulting in more tax revenues from higher business volume and taxpayer incomes. There are many parts to the legislation, and the IRS is still sorting out regulations and how it will all be put into practice. This article attempts to sort what effects it will have on different taxpayers. The most significant elements of the Act to taxpayers has been: Reduction in tax rates in most individual brackets, and other changes in preparing taxes A ‘pass-through’ income exemption for self-employed individuals and those participating in partnerships and Subchapter S Corporations. An elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax at the corporate level, and reduced applicability of AMT to individuals. Many of the provisions affecting individual taxpayers “Sunset” or reverse to their original rules in the year 2025, but many expect that will be extended by new lawmakers by that time. The most obvious changes in how taxes are prepared for individuals, is the elimination of dependent exemptions. Previously, taxpayers would apply a reduction of taxable income of approximately $4000 each for themselves, their spouse, children as old as 24 and other specific individuals who qualified as dependents. These exemptions have been eliminated. In lieu of these reductions, an increase of almost double the standard deduction has been made. For most taxpayer examples in this article, I use a married couple filing jointly (MFJ) situation, as being the most common filing method. Where MFJ taxpayers in 2017 were eligible for a standard deduction from taxable income of $12,700, in 2018 that standard deduction is now $24,000. Many people used to itemize deductions, however those who traditionally had itemized deductions which were more than the previously available deduction of $12,700 but less that the new deduction of $24,000, will likely no longer benefit from itemizing. This means, State income and real estate taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions and employee-type expense deductions no longer matter. For retirees now missing out on the deduction benefit of charitable contributions, you should remember the ability to make direct contributions from certain retirement plans. (Google: “Qualified Charitable Distribution.”) For those who still may have total itemized deductions more than the standard deduction of $24,000, you can still itemize, but other changes also apply. First, the Medical expense deduction still has a ‘floor’ or threshold which total expense needs to surpass before there is any deduction. This has been set back to 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) just for 2018. The threshold goes back to its previous 10% in 2019 and thereafter. And no longer do the ‘over 65’ crowd get a break in the floor. No longer are expenses, intended to encourage home-ownership as generous. The State and local tax (known as SALT) deductions, for state income tax, real estate taxes and personal property taxes are now maxed out at $10,000. Home mortgage interest is limited to a mortgage with an original principal less than $750,000, and interest on the Home Equity loan is no longer deductible. Charitable contributions deduction limit has been increased to 60% of AGI, but with elimination of the deduction for ‘right to purchase tickets to athletic events.’ Casualty losses are now restricted only to those covered by FEMA declaration Miscellaneous deductions are eliminated for tax years 2018 through 2025—these include Unreimbursed employee expense, including Home office; Union dues; Uniforms, tools and equipment; Investment Advisory, Tax Prep and Legal fees. Remaining substantially unchanged are Gambling losses (subject to changes in deducting expenses) and Impairment-related work expenses for disabled. For the broad category of ownership including proprietorship, partnership and shareholder in a Sub-chapter S Corporation, there is a new deduction against taxable income based on the “flow through income,” or what is now referred to Qualified Business Income (QBI). QBI, defined under this new section 199A deduction, is used to determine a deduction of up to 20%, applied as another reduction from individual taxable income. (This does not reduce income subject to Self-employment taxes.) Determination of this deduction is relatively straight-forward for MFJ returns with taxable income of less than $315,000 ($157,500 for single taxpayers). For returns over these thresholds, many more limitations are introduced, including the exclusion of this benefit for something call Specified Service Trade or Business (SSTB). But again, unless your total taxable income is over the thresholds, these additional limitations don’t apply. Other changes: Something called the 179 deduction, which allows for the partial to full cost of newly acquired assets to be deducted in business returns, is now extended to real estate rental enterprises, and others filing Schedule E. Deduction of entertainment expenses is eliminated. Meals, must now include the business principal to take the usual 50% deduction Expenses of in-office snacks and meals now limited to 50% until 2025, at which time phase out to zero begins. However, your business needs to be a legitimate trade or business (nothing new.) If the IRS finds you have been reporting business deductions for a period of time for what they deem to be a ‘hobby,’ you may get an unwanted tax bill. Tax rates for corporations (not Sub-chapter S) have been reduced to a flat 21%, from the previous bracketed rates of 15% to 35%. With the lower 15% bracket rate applicable up to $50,000 of taxable income, these corporations with this income and lower will now suffer an increase in tax rate, due to this change. The benefit of corporate exclusion of dividends received from other corporations has generally been reduced, except for members of an affiliated group. The corporate AMT is eliminated. A new incentive benefit has been introduced for non –S corporations, of a credit of 12.5% of wages paid to employees on FMLA, where the amount being paid is at least 50% of normal compensation. This credit is increased to a maximum 25%, as the percentage of normal compensation increases above 50%. For anyone involved with non-profit organizations, you may be interest to know that there a few subtle changes to these otherwise exempt entity tax laws. A new 21% excise tax is imposed on “excess” compensation of top executives paid more than one million dollars. A new 1.4% excise tax is imposed on the net investment income of certain private higher-ed schools. Income and losses from multiple Unrelated Business operations can no longer be offset And new excise taxes are imposed on certain non-cash employee benefits (e.g., parking lots and cafeterias). The significance of the changes and other considerations in the reformatting of IRS forms, has caused delays in publication of changes. In addition, the provisions of TCJA is having a secondary effect on State income tax rules, as many of them change to keep up. All of the changes to forms of IRS and States, once published, must be made to tax software programs used by individuals and professional tax preparers. Software companies believe these changes could be delayed until well into the tax filing season. Watch for what effect these delays might have on filing deadlines. And definitely, don’t wait until the last minute to bring your papers to your trusty tax preparer.
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Changes for Business Owners
State income and real estate taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions and employee-type expense deductions no longer matter.
How TCJA will affect individual taxpayers
The rules surrounding the definition of SSTB, and calculation of limitations become highly involved and fall in to the category of “do not try this at home!”
Other Business Changes
Implementation Issues
Ed Carter, CPA I can help you make sense of your tax issues. edcartercpa.com taxhelp@edcartercpa.com
Non-Profits
Additional Resoureces: 1. Tax Reform irs.gov, see also IRS Publication 5307, Tax Reform: Basics for Individuals and Families 2. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Resources - US House of Representatives
During the startup years, solo business owners do everything themselves. They answer telephones, invoice customers, respond to emails, design marketing newsletters, manage social media and much more. You do all of these tasks to save money while you get your business established however, as your business grows, it becomes no longer possible for you to do everything yourself. Eventually, you spend more and more time running your business rather than doing the work you love to do --- the one reason why you started the business. One of the biggest mistakes that solo business owners make is not valuing their time correctly. While you may think you are saving money, you are actually losing money doing these tasks yourself. Instead of spending your time servicing current clients or networking to find new ones and growing your business, you are spending time on tasks that don’t generate money for you directly. You are essentially charging yourself the hourly rate you invoice your clients for time spent on tasks and projects that could easily be delegated to someone with relevant expertise that can complete the task efficiently. If the hourly rate you invoice clients is $50 and you spend 2 hours adding leads in a CRM, that task really cost you $100 when those 2 hours could have been spent on revenue-generating work that only you can do. So now you decide that you need some help with your growing business. First thought might be to ask your friends and associates or post a job ad online. The person you hire will need workspace either at your office or house if you work from your home including a desk, computer and phone. Do you have concerns sharing a home office with a stranger? What about if you only need a couple hours of business help weekly? Will someone drive to your location, work an hour and leave? Having an employee also means you’ll administer employer responsibilities such as payroll, insurance, benefits, etc. These are just a few of the responsibilities and challenges you will face as an employer and why you should consider hiring a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants are business owners just like you, providing a variety of administrative, technical and creative support to their clients remotely. Virtual Assistants collaborate with self-employed professionals, entrepreneurs, startups and other overworked business owners to help you focus your time and energy on the core aspects of your business rather than time-consuming day-to-day tasks and other projects such as: Calendar Management Client Onboarding CRM Updates Customer Service Email Marketing Inbox Management Invoicing Podcasts Sales Support, Social Media Webinars Website Updates and more! Working with a Virtual Assistant provides you with a custom support solution for your specific business needs, focused on skill and expertise rather than one person and job position.
Would you like more time to grow your business? Virtual assistant John Morgan has a simple message, "Do what you love and delegate everything else." With packages that go from 5 to 40 hours a month, it's more affordable than you think. By JOHN MORGAN, VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
603.880.7184 | careerconnectionsnh.com
Do what you love and delegate everything else...
Anyone who has ever seen an sms transcipt of a voice mail knows that voice to text software has a long way to go before it can be useful in the every day world. But what if I told you the technology is out there? What if I said that I found a FREE dictation program with almost 100% accuracy? Let me introduce you to Dictanote, a free browser app for Chrome. By PAT HAMMOND, QUEEN CITY BUZZ
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I read an article a few months ago that suggested I could increase my writing productivity by using dictation software. It made sense. I know from past experience that if I'm collaborating or brainstorming I work a lot faster when I say the words compared to writing them. The problem was none of the available software works on Linux. Google offers an online option for voice dictation within Google Docs, but the program only gets about half of the words right. Then there is the cost. Dragon is considered the industry leader for dictation software, but I'd have to get a pc or a mac, then I'd have to buy the software which runs anywhere from $45 for the home edition up to $300 for the professional edition. And since I write about a wide range of topics, I'd probably need the most expensive version in order for it to recognize the words I use. Then I'd have to train it. Apparently, most dictation programs need to learn your accent and speech patterns before they gain accuracy. I'm not sure how long that takes, but I want something that works right out of the box. Fortunately, we live in the digital age and aren't limited to desktop software. After a quick search of the web, I found a fantastic little browser app called Dictanote. In spite of its no-frills, distraction-free interface, Dictanote is surprisingly versatile and offers a rich text editor similar to MS Word. I've been using it for about five months and I find that the speech to text function has almost a 100% accuracy rate in English. Even better, it correctly understood my American accent when I tested it in French and Spanish. Features: Easy setup Voice or manual typing Pro version allows you to convert audio files to text Language support for over 100 languages and dialects Has rich text editor similar to MS Word Easy to create, delete, share, and download your document The only downside I can find is that the voice commands are only in English. If you're writing in another language like French you have to either remember to say "full stop" instead of "arrêt complet" or create custom commands. Along the same lines, I'm not sure how you would add something like an accent grave or aigu. My testing in French and Spanish has been limited. What I've done has displayed correctly, but I'm not sure how consistent it is with words that sound the same but are spelled different and have different meanings. Overall I find this program very helpful. It has incredible accuracy converting speech to text and the distraction-free interface extremely useful when I'm on a deadline. Other than the ability to transcribe audio files and the limitation to one notebook, I don't see too much difference between the free and paid versions. I recommend Dictanote to anyone looking for a nice, low cost, user-friendly program to dictate your content.
Tools
Get Dictanote To get your copy of Dictanote visit: Dictanote.co or visit the Chrome Web Store. Cost: Free for the basic level, $3/month for premium.
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3. Be Aware of All Forms of Impairment
4. Wear Your Seat Belt
1. Eliminate Distractions
National Safety Council of Northern New England For more information about NSCNNE programs & resources, please visit: nscnne.org Email: info@nscnne.org Phone: 603-228-1401
We all know the saying, “Safety First,” but as we go about our daily activities safety concerns are usually not the first thing on our minds. Winter brings with it a set of dangerous conditions that are made even more threatening when we are distracted by the pressures and obligations we feel with the impending holidays and end of year deadlines. With too much to do in too little time we may find that safety is no longer first on our list of concerns. Every 7 seconds, someone is injured in a car crash. Every 15 minutes, someone is killed in a crash.[1] Many of the crashes occur during the work day or the daily commute. New Hampshire has seen a dramatic increase in motor vehicle fatalities in 2018 (105 people already) showing a 26% increase from 2017.[2] Protect yourself and those around you by adopting these 4 safe driving practices: Three types of distraction can affect a driver’s ability to focus on the road ahead: visual distraction, manual distraction and cognitive distraction. Cell phones are especially dangerous as they can contribute to all three forms of distraction. Looking at your phone, handling your phone, and thinking about the text or conversation you are having can have deadly consequences to you, other motor vehicle users, or pedestrians. No phone call is worth a life. Icy roads and slippery walking surfaces are too often not given the respect and caution they demand. Road conditions should not be judged by how fast you can drive, but by how quickly and safely you can come to a complete stop. Driving speeds need to be reduced in such conditions, so give yourself enough time to travel safely to your destination. The coefficient of friction changes in icy conditions making it more difficult to stop. Allow for more room between vehicles when traveling on roadways in inclement weather or icy conditions. It is important to note that drugs and alcohol are not the only things that negatively affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. According to the National Sleep Foundation you are three times more likely to be in a car crash if you are fatigued. A driver’s ability to react, identify hazards and to sustain attention to the road are all compromised when a driver is suffering from a lack of sleep. Driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% – the U.S. legal limit.[3] New Hampshire is the only state that does not have an adult seat belt law. Consequently, New Hampshire has the lowest seat belt usage rate in the country, 22.5% below the national average in 2017.[4 ] In 2016, 69 fatalities (74% of all NH motor vehicle fatalities that year) were unbelted when restraint use was known (NHTSA). By employing these simple safety measures, we protect ourselves and others from unintended injury. Drive safely. Arrive and thrive. 1. Data sourced from Injury Facts an NSC publication - Safe Roads, Safer Employees 2. State of NH Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles weekly crash report dated 10/29/18 3. National Sleep Foundation: Drowsy Driving Facts
At some point or another, you're going to have to drive in the snow. Check out these great tips from the National Safety Council of Northern New England to help you get to your destination safely. By ANA GOURLAY, NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND
2. Allow Enough Time
When was the last time you had an opportunity to take a free, six-week hands-on course taught by noted experts on subjects relevant to both your personal and professional lives? The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications has announced the schedule for their winter classes, including six free classes developed to give you the skills you need to be comfortable, articulate, and confident, no matter how you communicate. Loeb School Executive Director David Tirrell-Wysocki describes the school as "a great place for people of all ages and skill to get hands-on experience in communication." Students come from diverse backgrounds with different levels of skill and experience, and while most students are adults, middle and high school students are welcome. With courses on topics such as audio production, digital media, and broadcasting the Loeb School's curriculum reflects the changing nature of communications and provides an opportunity for students to use what they learn in the real world. The Winter 2019 classes run for six weeks on Wednesday evenings from January 9 - February 13, at the school's location at 749 East Industrial Park Drive, Manchester. Digital Media: The Multi-Channel Approach (5:30-7) This course will help attendees enhance their business, non-profit or personal brand through technology and social media. First Amendment Media Law - (5:30 - 7) Attorney Gregory Sullivan presents students an easy-to-understand course on the protections enjoyed by the media and how to stay within their guidelines. The course prompts lively debates on how far the media can, and should, go in reporting the news and how the law guides public officials as they conduct the public's business. Note this course has a $25.00 fee. Advanced Multimedia Storytelling Lab, (5:30 - 7) This class is designed for students familiar with using photography and multimedia skills to produce usable multimedia productions for their personal, business or organization websites or presentations. Students will complete at least one audio slide-show comprised of compelling photography and audio to tell a powerful story. Broadcasting - (7-8:30) students learn about where broadcast news fits in the ever-changing world of news reporting, the technical magic behind getting the news on the air and the nuts and bolts of covering stories, writing and editing copy, ethics, and the First Amendment. Digital Audio Production - (7 - 8:30) Students will learn audio production skills to record, edit and mix audio, using digital software for production and distribution to various media, including web, podcast, radio, and video.These are very popular classes and they do fill up quickly. If you are interested in taking a class, it is highly recommended that you sign up as soon as possible. For more information about the school and the winter classes, including registration, please visit their website www.loebschool.org.
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No time to write? No problem! I've teamed up with the fabulous Lisa J. Jackson from writeyourwaynh.org to bring "Your Words, Only Better" to Flackery! Lisa will interview you about your business and story idea then craft it into a written article featuring your ideas and expertise. No struggling to find the right words No issues finding the time to write No excuses! Not only will the article be included in Flackery, this is original content you can share with clients, on your website & social media! The cost is $175 for NH Business Directory members and $250 for non-members and availability is limited.
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NH District Small Business Administration - Free online tools, articles, and links to partner resources. SCORE Merrimack Valley Chapter: Many free tools, mentoring, paid workshops, also on Facebook Center for Women & Enterprise: Free and budget-friendly classes and workshops NH Small Business Development Center (NHSBDC): Free online tools, budget-friendly mentoring & business advice. Veterans Business Outreach Center for New England: Free resources for veterans, active duty service personnel, and their spouses interested in starting or expanding their own business. Includes information about how to start a business, business planning, funding, and other general business topics. Live Free and Start: Live Free and Start is a collaboration between the Governor's office and the private sector. They offer many free resources for local small business owners looking to start or grow their business in the Granite State. This is a great resource for anyone looking to prepare or seek outside funding.
Your Business Could Be Here
NH Business Directory Members
Business Mentoring & Planning
For a small state New Hampshire has an abundance of free and low-cost resources for startups and small business owners. Here is a short list of organizations who offer classes, tools, and one-on-one mentoring to help you with your business challenge.
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p. 30 Chart from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center p. 33 Keyboard Warrior photo Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash p. 40 Photo Truckee Forrest Road by Ross van der Wal on Unsplash p. 44 Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash
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Cover Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash p. 5 Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash p. 10 Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash p. 13 Photo provided by author p. 19 - 22 Photos by Allegra Boverman p. 24 Photo Together, Talking, Smiling by rawpixel on Unsplash
Business Rule #1: Love what you do
The first step toward establishing a healthy work/life balance is to love what you do.
