From the moment a video camera captured Duncan-Williams Inc.’s president stepping off the elevator last year belting out “Saturday in the Park,” it was clear the investment firm’s promotional videos for the Live at the Garden concert series would be out of the box.

2. Measuring Innovation With Money - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

But will it make real money? Innovation is such a heady, ill-defined concept. Innovation is one of those words – like strategy or creativity – that means either nothing or something different to anyone who hears it. But when handled correctly, genuine innovations are the lifeblood of any company’s continued health and success.

3. Boosting Email Newsletter Results - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

These days most businesses invest in e-newsletter campaigns, but few realize a return on that significant time investment. Developing a results-driven email newsletter strategy is more of a science than an art, as technological advancements provide a wealth of information about what readers want.

4. A Year After IPO, Facebook Aims to be Ad Colossus - Monday, May 20, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Facebook, the brainchild of a young CEO who sauntered into Wall Street meetings in a hoodie, was going to be bigger than Amazon, bigger than McDonald's, bigger than Coca-Cola. And it was all made possible by our friendships, photos and family ties.

5. EPayment America Debuts Social Commerce Tool - Saturday, May 18, 2013

Christopher Reckert, president and CEO of Memphis-based ePaymentAmerica, has created a new social commerce tool called Yapyzal, which launched this week.

The tool is intended to allow businesses to design and share product offers on social media sites, then complete the sale via secure credit and debit card processing without leaving the social media platform.

6. EPayment America Launches Social Commerce Tool - Thursday, May 16, 2013

Christopher Reckert, president and CEO of Memphis-based ePaymentAmerica, has created a new social commerce tool called Yapyzal, which launched this week.

The tool is intended to allow businesses to design and share product offers on social media sites, then complete the sale via secure credit and debit card processing without leaving the social media platform.

7. A Fond Farewell for Now - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Hard to believe, but almost three years has passed since I wrote the first “Giving Back” column in 2010. Credit goes to James Overstreet, associate publisher of The Daily News, who pulled me aside one day and asked if I had ever thought about sharing my ideas and some of our Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club philanthropic efforts with a broader audience. What started as an idea to share helpful tips, quickly evolved into a pipeline for positive stories, a spotlight for local nonprofits, and an avenue to provide easy ways to get more engaged in our community.

8. Assumptions That Cost You Sales - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Good sales professionals are subject matter experts on the products and services they sell. This expertise inevitably creates a few blind spots. When you feel like you’ve seen it all – every prospect response, motivation and objection – it’s easy to occasionally jump to the wrong conclusion. Ensure bad assumptions don’t deter your selling efforts by watching out for the following most common.

9. Rhodes Honors Gray for Outstanding Research - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Dr. Patrick Gray, an associate professor in Rhodes College’s department of religious studies, has received the college’s Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Research. Gray’s research centers on biblical studies, specifically the history and literature of early Christianity and the Greco-Roman context.

10. Engaging Employees in the Community - Tuesday, May 07, 2013

This week, let us extend the Giving Back conversation by exploring ways that a company can provide incentives to encourage employees to volunteer with nonprofits and get more engaged in the community.

11. Time Management Secrets for Sales Pros - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I’ve never met a sales person worth his weight who feels as though he has free time during the workday. Time is definitely a luxury for motivated sales professionals. After all, there are typically infinitely more prospects to call on than we have hours in the day. That’s why the most successful in sales are masters of their schedule, rather than slaves to it.

12. Data Facts Leading by Example - Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Last week we highlighted Friends For Life Corp., which is an organization helping people affected by HIV/AIDS to live well. This week let us discuss an important trend in corporate philanthropy and spotlight a local company leading by example.

13. Don’t Let Zeal Kill the Sale - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Passion is a vital skill for entrepreneurs, but did you know it can actually kill a sales call? While it may seem counterintuitive, an overzealous spirit can simply overwhelm a prospect.

While asking for the sale is an essential selling skill, you have to earn the right to ask by first building trust with your prospect. While you’ll never land a sale if you don’t ask, sales is a process versus a question. If your enthusiasm gets the better of you, and you ask too soon, you’ll certainly get an answer – just not the one you want.

14. Dining Out for Life - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Last week we discussed the Memphis Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which is focused on making a positive, and eternal, impact in the arena of athletics. This week let us explore an organization with the mission of helping people affected by HIV/AIDS live well: Friends For Life Corp.

15. Hazlett Touts City’s Positives to World - Friday, April 19, 2013

Bob Hazlett, director of online marketing at the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a proudly converted Memphian who promotes the city as a travel destination.

“I feel that if we can get someone to come to Memphis, they fall in love with the city,” Hazlett said. “I’ve lived in a couple of different places, and I think that for all of the bad things that are said about Memphis, there are so many positive things that are going on. It’s not a rhinestone, but it is a diamond in the rough. If you seek things out, the city will reveal itself to you.”

16. You Have a Nice Personality, But Does Your Brand? - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

We naturally navigate to those with interesting personalities in real life, and so it stands to reason that the same holds true in the digital world. Why, then, do so many brands come across as cold and completely void of personality when communicating through social media?

17. The Heart and Soul in Sports - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Last week we spotlighted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a world leader in the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. This week let us discuss an organization that is making a positive, and eternal, impact in the arena of athletics: the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

18. Your Mobile Device: Friend or Foe? - Friday, April 12, 2013

Who is more important: you or a group of your fellow nonprofit volunteers or professionals? What signal are you sending when you direct your attention to your mobile device instead of the group’s discussion? If you believe the work of the organization or institution is unimportant, say so and work with your peers to restructure meetings. If not, give your attention to the business at hand. Each of you has carved out time from your busy schedules to attend the meeting: make the most of it.

19. St. Jude: Local Resource With Global Impact - Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Last week we highlighted The Blues Foundation, which is Memphis-based and focused on the past, present and future of the music genre. This week let us spotlight the iconic Memphis institution that is a world leader in the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

20. Facebook Unveils 'Home' for Android Phones - Friday, April 05, 2013

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) – With its new "Home" on Android gadgets, Facebook aims to put its social network at the center of people's mobile experiences.

If users choose to download Facebook's Home software starting on April 12, the social network will become the hub of their Android smartphones. A phone from HTC that comes pre-loaded with Home will also be available starting that day, with AT&T Inc. as the carrier.

21. Social Resumes and the Job Search - Friday, April 05, 2013

As an adjunct accounting professor at the University of Memphis, I am constantly trying to prepare my students for their future. Part of that preparation is exposing the students to tools that will assist them in their search for employment.

22. Vance Albitz: A True Web Gem - Friday, April 05, 2013

Occasionally, the brilliance of an idea is captured in its name. So it is with “Gloves 4 Troops,” the brainchild of Memphis Redbirds infielder Vance Albitz.

Back in November, Albitz read about a deployed solider who said the one thing he really wished he had from back home was a baseball and a glove. Normalcy – always the goal for soldiers in harm’s way – was a game of catch. Albitz understood because as far back as he can remember, holidays at home in Torrance, Calif., meant him, his older brother and father playing catch and having a little informal BP.

23. Events - Thursday, April 04, 2013

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis chapter will meet Thursday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thomas Center at Christian Brothers University, 650 East Parkway S. Daniel Moore of Watkins Uiberall PLLC will discuss best practices in nonprofit accounting. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Register at afpmemphis.org.

24. Home of the Blues – Literally - Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Last week we discussed Baptist Memorial Health Care and their collaborative community efforts, like Baptist Operation Outreach. This week let us highlight the Memphis-based organization dedicated to preserving our blues music history, supporting blues education, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form: The Blues Foundation.

25. Choose901 Celebrates One Year of Upbeat Message - Monday, April 01, 2013

One phrase has been popping up in the local social media world with increasingly frequency over the past year.

Choose901.

It refers to a campaign led by the civic group City Leadership, and it’s designed to do exactly what the name says.

26. Food Truck Alliance Grows With Rodeos - Thursday, March 28, 2013

In 2011, the Memphis City Council passed a food truck ordinance drafted by council members Jim Strickland and Shea Flinn, which allowed self-contained mobile food preparation vehicles to operate in the city of Memphis.

27. Make Memorable Impressions at Networking Events - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Find yourself attending countless networking events with little result in new business generated? It’s possible you’re just not leaving a memorable impression. But don’t take it personally. Most attendees are more focused on what they’re going to say than what you or anyone else is saying. That’s why deploying attention-grabbing strategies are essential to generating a real return on your networking time investment.

28. SEC Approves Nasdaq's Facebook IPO Payment Plan - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – The Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday that it has approved a plan by the Nasdaq stock exchange to pay $62 million in reimbursements to investment firms that lost money because of technical problems during Facebook's initial public offering last year.

29. Partnerships Key in Baptist Operation Outreach - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Last week we highlighted the On Location: MEMPHIS International Film & Music Festival and “Memphis Rocks” category, which is a free opportunity for Memphians to submit short videos that spotlight positive perspectives about our city for a chance to see them shown on the silver screen. This week let us turn our attention to an organization that is now “well beyond a century” with a true heartbeat of giving back to the community: Baptist Memorial Health Care.

30. Events - Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Cotton Museum will host Patrick O’Daniel, discussing his book “When the Levee Breaks: Memphis and the Mississippi Valley Flood of 1927,” Thursday, March 28, at 5 p.m. at the museum, 65 Union Ave. Cost is free and includes a complimentary museum tour and reception. Visit memphiscottonmuseum.org.

31. Events - Friday, March 22, 2013

The University of Memphis Law Review will hold its annual symposium Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 1 N. Front St. This year’s theme is “Breaking the Silence: Legal Voices in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Visit memphis.edu/law for a list of speakers.

32. Events - Thursday, March 21, 2013

National Hispanic Professional Organization-Memphis will meet Thursday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. Accion CEO Janie Barrera will speak. Cost is free for members and $20 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P. to info@nhpomemphis.us or 466-6476.

33. Sales: PR’s Missing Ingredient - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

If your company’s contributions are more newsworthy than the media coverage generated, you could have a sales problem. That’s right, I said a “sales” problem.

The minimum cost of entry into a successful career in public relations is the ability to write. About 50 percent of those in the field have strong writing skills, capable of inspiring readers. Given the sheer volume of press releases crossing the average reporter’s desk each week, however, it’s clear that writing skills alone don’t land stories.

34. Trustee Releases Slate of Financial Literacy Workshops - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir’s office has worked with almost 800 financially struggling taxpayers since the summer of 2011 to educate them via the trustee’s Project H.O.M.E. financial literacy workshop series.

35. Now Showing: Memphis Rocks - Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Last week we discussed the importance of crafting a legacy statement to help steer your life and priorities, while affording future generations something to cherish. This week, let us re-focus on our civic pride campaign, “Memphis Rocks,” which is now featured on thousands of T-shirts being worn around the Mid-South and in various cities around the globe.

36. WKNO's Sports Files Moves to Thursdays - Monday, March 18, 2013

“Sports Files with Greg Gaston” is moving to Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on WKNO-TV, beginning March 21.

37. Poll Finds Attitude Shift Among Working Moms - Friday, March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Working mothers increasingly want full-time jobs, and tough economic times might be a big reason, according to a national survey.

In the Pew Research Center study being released Thursday, researchers saw a big spike in the share of working mothers who said they'd prefer to work full time; 37 percent said that was their ideal, up from 21 percent in 2007.

38. ‘Lean In’ for Leadership In Nonprofit Career - Friday, March 15, 2013

Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook has a new book out. “Lean In” has generated a lot of media attention. It’s all about women and leadership in the business world. Bottom line: she encourages women to seek leadership-level positions. Listening to the news stories we asked ourselves, “what about the nonprofit sector?”

39. Mudbugs in March Returns to Court Square on March 16 - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Mudbugs in March will return for the third year to Court Square in Downtown Memphis on Saturday, March 16, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The day-long festival features an authentic Louisiana crawfish boil, drink specials, twisted mac from Hard Rock Café, a gumbo contest, barbecue from 2011 Memphis in May champion Fat Side Up, and live music from The Mason Jar Fireflies and FreeWorld.

40. Cracking the Facebook Code - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Many small businesses devote time and resources to social media presence. Utilizing social media platforms to connect with your market is no longer “savvy.” It’s expected by today’s consumer. Used effectively, it is a dream come true for marketers. Brands can increase their messaging frequency while leveraging their audience to share content virally among their own connections, creating possibilities unheard of by traditional media channels.

41. Your Legacy Statement - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Last week we highlighted the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, which is focused on keeping homeless families together by providing free, temporary housing and the means to re-establish their independence. This week, following the recent loss of two of my family members, let us explore the importance of a legacy statement.

42. Longtime Family Lawyer to Host Divorce Seminar - Friday, March 08, 2013

Prominent Memphis family law attorney Larry Rice is gearing up to hold his 25th anniversary Divorce Skills Seminar next week.

43. Spending Less on Marketing - Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Countless studies have proven that it’s generally six to eight times more expensive to attract a new customer than to sell more product or service to an existing customer. Why, then, do so many view sales as a linear process, which ends when the sale is closed?

44. Dorothy Day House Provides Families Hope - Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Last week we discussed BRIDGES, which is an organization working to unite and inspire diverse young people to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation. This week, let us highlight an organization focused on keeping homeless families together by providing free, temporary housing and the means to re-establish their independence: the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality (DDHH).

45. Growing Push to Halt Workplace Bullying - Monday, March 04, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Margaret Fiester is no shrinking violet, but she says working for her former boss was a nightmare.

"One day I didn't do something right and she actually laid her hands on me and got up in my face and started yelling, 'Why did you do that?'" said Fiester, who worked as a legal assistant for an attorney.

46. Women Business Leaders Encourage Diverse Workforce - Monday, March 04, 2013

Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg is regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished and high-profile women in business, and she has a new book coming out later this month on issues women face in the workplace.

47. Shift From Monologue to Dialogue - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

For more than a decade, companies have slowly shifted their focus to fit an era of deep consumer engagement. They have begun to embrace social media management, and they are better integrating print and TV campaigns with their online and social media presence. Unfortunately, it’s not enough.

48. BRIDGES to Oz - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Last week we focused on a new form of mentorship, aimed at talent development and retention, with the University of Memphis and their LEAD program’s Professional Connection Lunches. This week let us discuss an organization that is uniting and inspiring diverse young people to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation: BRIDGES.

49. The Last-Second Madness - Monday, February 25, 2013

Many people in the relatively danger-free world of modern white-collar workers seem to be stressed out these days. Perhaps this is because they are ill-equipped to function in the modern world. I’ve been playing around with mathematics and time to help explain what is going on.

50. Imagine Vegan Café Landlord Ends Lease - Saturday, February 23, 2013

Imagine Vegan Café in Cooper-Young said the restaurant is moving and is soliciting ideas for vacant buildings.

“Our landlord decided to not renew our lease so we are now intensely looking for a new spot,” read a Friday, Feb. 15, Facebook post. “We ask that everyone please bear with us as things might be a little scattered over the next month or so. Our last day here in this spot is March 31st. We would like to stay in the Midtown area or maybe move over to Crosstown. Overton Square and out East are just out of our budget. If you have any specific ideas as to vacant buildings, please let us know.”

51. How Much is Too Much? - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Show of hands – how many of us have those friends on Facebook that are over-sharers? Whether they are talking about that last taco they regret eating, their string of continuous bad dates, that very last beer they indulged in or other information that maybe we don’t really know them well enough to absorb, I think we all have those people in our news feed.

52. Marketing Strategies to Avoid - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Marketing opportunities change so rapidly these days that it can be tough to keep up. If you’re unsure whether your brand is setting the pace or falling behind, take a look at the following marketing strategies to avoid in 2013.

53. Imagine Vegan Café Landlord Ends Lease - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Imagine Vegan Café in Cooper-Young said the restaurant is moving and is soliciting ideas for vacant buildings.

“Our landlord decided to not renew our lease so we are now intensely looking for a new spot,” read a Friday, Feb. 15, Facebook post. “We ask that everyone please bear with us as things might be a little scattered over the next month or so. Our last day here in this spot is March 31st. We would like to stay in the Midtown area or maybe move over to Crosstown. Overton Square and out East are just out of our budget. If you have any specific ideas as to vacant buildings, please let us know.”

54. Burger King Plans Apology After Twitter Hack - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Somebody hacked Burger King's Twitter account on Monday, posting obscene messages and changing its profile picture to a McDonald's logo.

The tweets stopped after a little more than an hour, and Burger King said it had reached out to Twitter to suspend the account. A Twitter spokesman did not immediately respond to a phone message left on Monday.

55. Seminar Highlights Women and Biz - Friday, February 15, 2013

Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, considered one of the most powerful women in business in the U.S., has a new book coming out next month on issues women face in the workplace.

In “Lean In,” the Facebook exec notes that although women long ago started representing 50 percent of U.S. college graduates, men still hold most of the leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

56. Do’s and Don’ts of Online PR - Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The digital age is a double-edged sword for those pitching content in hopes of landing the coveted story. On one hand, it’s never been easier to communicate with reporters, but on the other there’s so much clutter that breaking through all of the noise competing with your story has grown quite challenging.

57. Million Calorie Reduction Match - Tuesday, February 12, 2013

This week let us discuss a nonprofit organization, Healthy Memphis Common Table, whose mission is to mobilize Greater Memphis to achieve excellent health for all, along with one of their programs aimed at addressing obesity, the Million Calorie Reduction Match.

58. 9 Things Apple Could Do With $137 Billion - Monday, February 11, 2013

Apple Inc. has recently come under attack for its practice of stockpiling cash. At the end of last year, the company was sitting on $137 billion – and the heap keeps growing.

59. Lighting the Spark - Saturday, February 09, 2013

Somewhere, there’s an entrepreneur scribbling an idea on little more than the back of a napkin. Someone else has all the pieces of a new company in place, and now they’re ready to dial for dollars. Entrepreneurs are a talented bunch, but that talent doesn’t always include a knack for management or finance – skill sets that plenty of experts in Memphis stand ready to help explain.

60. Community Ties Into Elevator Pitch - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Last week we highlighted the importance of being intentional to share hope-filled and uplifting stories that infuse positive energy into our community, so we can take control of our perspective and future. This week let us tie that positive perspective and our central theme of community engagement into a few tips that can help us refine our story and elevator pitches.

61. Super Ads - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

What will $126,000 buy you? Exactly one second of airtime during Super Bowl XLVII. This year 30-second spots sold for more than $3.8 million. That kind of investment puts momentous pressure on the big brands to break through the commercial clutter with a memorable ad that distinguishes the brand and drives targeted consumers to take action.

62. Sales Contract in Place For Nineteenth Century Club - Saturday, February 02, 2013

The historic Nineteenth Century Club building at 1433 Union Ave. was auctioned off in a sealed auction by Morris Auction Group Thursday, Jan. 24.

63. Super Bowl Ad Preview - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The victory of the Ravens or the 49ers won’t be all people are talking about after the Super Bowl. After all, there are the commercials, and considering 110 million viewers are anticipated for this year’s football matchup, it’s no wonder advertisers pony up big bucks. Thirty-second spots went for $3.8 million to $4 million this year – an all-time record, up from $3.5 million in 2012.

64. Healthy Church Challenge Tackles Obesity Epidemic - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s second annual Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition for churches in West Tennessee is set to get under way on Saturday, Feb. 2.

This year’s challenge is anticipated to include more than 50 local churches that will get the chance to compete for cash prizes to benefit their churches and health ministries.

65. Take Stand With Positives - Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Last week we discussed DeNeuville Learning Center, which is an organization that is working to assist women of all backgrounds and cultures in learning the skills needed to make positive choices for themselves and their families. This week let us highlight the importance of infusing positive energy into our community and being intentional to share hope-filled and uplifting stories, like those of our everyday heroes, who are leading by example to strengthen the Mid-South.

66. Sales Contract in Place for Nineteenth Century Club - Monday, January 28, 2013

The historic Nineteenth Century Club building at 1433 Union Ave. was auctioned off in a sealed auction by Morris Auction Group Thursday, Jan. 24.

67. DeNeuville Assists Women on Life’s Journey - Thursday, January 24, 2013

Last week we shared the success story of a high school student who overcame tremendous adversity to recently be awarded a $200,000 full-ride scholarship to Brown University. This week let us discuss an organization that is working to assist women of all backgrounds and cultures in learning the skills needed to make positive choices for themselves and their families: DeNeuville Learning Center.

68. Epic Marketing Failures of 2012 - Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Despite their considerable marketing budgets and extensive teams, some of the world’s most well-known brands made significant marketing missteps in 2012. Learn from these epic fails to protect your brand.

69. If a Tree Falls … - Thursday, January 17, 2013

Last week’s column concluded with Susan and me in a hotel room in a neighboring city, to which we’d journeyed in a roundabout way to escape a cold, dark house on my birthday. We and 200,000 others were without electricity.

70. Sharing a Student’s Success - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Last week we highlighted our Samaritans Feet Shoe Distribution, providing more than 300 youth with new socks, shoes and unconditional compassion. This week, extending our “youthful” theme, let us turn the spotlight on a high school student who has overcome tremendous adversity to become a local success story.

71. Customers Pay More for Better Experience - Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Despite what you may believe about how price-sensitive consumers are given the economic realities of late, Oracle’s “Customer Experience Impact Report” indicates 86 percent of customers would pay 25 percent more for a better customer experience.

72. New Shoes, Lifting Spirits - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Last week we explored Memphis Recovery Centers, which is helping adolescents and adults fight drug and alcohol addiction. This week, in light of our Samaritans Feet Shoe Distribution coming up on Thursday, Jan. 17, let us discuss the annual event and spotlight the organization working to help people around the world who go without shoes each day: Samaritans Feet International.

73. Beale Nightspot Continues to Defy Easy Answers - Thursday, January 03, 2013

After a relatively quiet New Year’s Eve on Beale Street, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. told a prayer breakfast on New Year’s Day, “Beale Street will soon be behind us. … It’s going to be a safe Beale Street.”

74. Local Politicians Split on Fiscal Cliff Bill - Wednesday, January 02, 2013

There was only one vote for the American Taxpayer Relief bill Tuesday, Jan. 1, among the nine Tennesseans who represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said he wasn’t happy with all of the agreement but voted for it because of the tax cuts it maintained.

75. Overcoming Addictions - Monday, December 31, 2012

Last week we highlighted Juvenile Intervention & Faith-based Follow-up (JIFF), which is working with youth from in and around the juvenile justice system to equip them with the skills and support necessary to break the destructive cycle of criminal behavior. Drawing from another side of crime prevention, related to helping adolescents and adults fight drug and alcohol addiction, this week let us explore Memphis Recovery Centers.

76. Handbag Enthusiasts Flock to Katie Kalsi’s Creations - Monday, December 31, 2012

The fan comments on Memphis handbag designer Katie Kalsi’s company Facebook page are effusive, enthusiastic and frequently punctuated with energetic exclamation points.

“I love my bag!!!”

77. Top 10 Smart Marketing Trends for 2013 - Thursday, December 27, 2012

Make it your resolution to execute these Top 10 smart marketing trends in 2013.

1. Visual Storytelling – Thanks to image-centric sites like Pinterest and Instagram, 2012 became the year of brand visualization. Visual content is now in higher demand than ever before and brands must step up and tell their story through more than words.

78. Mobs of Cash - Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Next month, an organized mob is planning to descend upon The Booksellers at Laurelwood.

With cash.

Spurred by an affection for locally owned small businesses and carrying out the idea born from a consultant who saw this done in other cities, the burgeoning “Memphis Cash Mob” movement will show up to the East Memphis bookstore Jan. 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for its latest show of economic force.

79. JIFF Fights Recidivism - Monday, December 24, 2012

Last week we shared some helpful holiday safety tips, like locking car doors while pumping gas and hiding all belongings BEFORE getting to the store. Extending this theme of crime prevention, let us now highlight a local organization working with youth from in and around the juvenile justice system to equip them with the skills and support necessary to break the destructive cycle of criminal behavior: Juvenile Intervention & Faith-Based Follow-Up (JIFF).

80. Obsidian Public Relations Selects 180-Degree Winners - Saturday, December 22, 2012

Obsidian Public Relations selected The Blues Foundation and the Fire Museum of Memphis as the 2013 recipients of its annual PR 180 Degree Project, a pro bono public relations initiative that provides two Mid-South nonprofits with six months of free PR to help the organizations achieve a 180-degree turn in publicity success.

81. Facebook Users Hit 'Like,' Stores Jump Into Action - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Facebook isn't just for goofy pictures and silly chatter. Whether shoppers know it or not, their actions online help dictate what's in stores during this holiday season.

82. Obsidian Public Relations Selects 180-Degree Winners - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Obsidian Public Relations selected The Blues Foundation and the Fire Museum of Memphis as the 2013 recipients of its annual PR 180 Degree Project, a pro bono public relations initiative that provides two Mid-South nonprofits with six months of free PR to help the organizations achieve a 180-degree turn in publicity success.

83. Top 2012 Social Media Campaigns - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

With the considerable growth in social media users, more brands are wading into the waters, allocating nearly 11 percent of their advertising budgets toward these channels this year – three times more than 2011.

84. Holiday Safety Tips - Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Last week we explored an easy way we can start planning ahead to make 2013 a Year of Books by working with Shelby County Books from Birth to plant the seeds of literacy and help build a stronger foundation for our future. This week, with the holiday shopping season now in overdrive, it is the perfect time to review some helpful safety tips that will allow us to protect our family and friends and thwart the traditional holiday spike in crime.

85. Lenny’s Sub Shop Gives to Needy This Holiday - Saturday, December 15, 2012

Memphis-based Lenny’s Sub Shop is using its Facebook page to bring holiday cheer to those in need.

Via the “Lenny’s Gives Back Holiday Contest” which kicked off Dec. 3, fans of the sandwich chain’s Facebook page were encouraged to visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LennysSubs and nominate someone they believe deserves financial aid this holiday season. Starting Dec. 10, fans were able to log on and vote for the nomination they feel most deserves the $1,000 grand prize.

86. Invest in Your Career - Thursday, December 13, 2012

Ray’s Take The days of lifetime employment until retirement are gone for good – just like that traditional gold watch. Today, companies merge and splinter or boom and bust constantly. It’s no longer enough to be well prepared at the start of your career with a good education, you have to keep up your skills to remain valuable.

87. Lenny's Gives to Needy This Holiday - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Memphis-based Lenny’s Sub Shop is using its Facebook page to bring holiday cheer to those in need.

Via the “Lenny’s Gives Back Holiday Contest” which kicked off Dec. 3, fans of the sandwich chain’s Facebook page were encouraged to visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LennysSubs and nominate someone they believe deserves financial aid this holiday season. Starting Dec. 10, fans were able to log on and vote for the nomination they feel most deserves the $1,000 grand prize.

88. Inherent Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Marketing - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

When you own or operate a small or mid-sized company, you likely have an innate sense of self-reliance. It’s that desire to get things done on your own that probably got you to where you are today. That same drive to maintain unencumbered control, however, may be inhibiting your growth when it comes to the development and execution of your marketing strategy. While seemingly counterintuitive, here’s why this is often the case.

89. Serving Warriors - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

In November 2006, then-U.S. Army Spc. Susan Downes was serving as a military police officer in Afghanistan’s Logar Province when her Humvee drove over an improvised explosive device.

“The truck jerked and that’s really all I remember,” said the Tazewell, Tenn., veteran. “The next thing I knew, doctors in Germany were waking me up from a medically induced coma to tell me I had lost both my legs.”

90. Government Investigating Makers of Cellphone Apps - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is investigating whether software companies that make cellphone apps have violated the privacy rights of children by quietly collecting personal information from phones and sharing it with advertisers and data brokers, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday. Such apps can capture a child's physical location, phone numbers of their friends and more.

91. 2013: A Year of Books - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Last week we shared more ways you can celebrate the holidays while giving back at the same time. This week let us explore an easy way we can start planning ahead to make 2013 a Year of Books by working with Shelby County Books from Birth to plant the seeds of literacy and help build a stronger foundation for our future.

92. Quotes Celebrating Zig Ziglar - Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Author, motivational speaker and consummate salesman Zig Ziglar died in late November at the age of 86. Heralding from Yazoo City, Miss., Ziglar impacted the lives of salespeople worldwide. His influence was undeniable and his legacy, long lasting. This compilation of “Zigisms” is in celebration of his life’s work. May they bring you inspiration.

93. Discovering New Paths - Wednesday, December 05, 2012

In 2009, Charity Helvie, 35, left a successful career in the investment industry to start a home-based business, MadiBella, a custom clothing boutique featuring her handmade children’s clothes and women’s accessories.

94. More Holiday Givebacks - Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Last week we shared some easy holiday givebacks with The Exchange Club Family Center, SRVS, Shield Inc. and Youth Villages. Keeping the spirit alive, this week let us share more ways you can celebrate the holidays while giving back, at the same time.

95. The Next Steps - Monday, December 03, 2012

About a half hour before the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Samuel “Hardy” Mays in the municipal school district lawsuit, the chairman of the countywide school board called for his board and the school boards for the six suburban municipal school districts to get together.

96. The Year End is Upon Us - Friday, November 30, 2012

Part one of a two-part series on year-end fundraising. Just in case you don’t know, the year-end is upon us. Christmas. Hanukkah. New Year’s Eve. This is also the time nonprofits roll out “year end” fundraising campaigns. Many started a few days before Thanksgiving. Or earlier.

97. Bar Seminar to Discuss Latest Labor Issues - Thursday, November 29, 2012

Talk of several prominent employment law issues and challenges – with insight gleaned from leading national legal figures – will be part of next week’s daylong annual seminar of the Memphis Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section.

98. The Evolution of Black Thursday - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

If some of the big retailers had it their way, Thanksgiving would evolve from a day of thanks with one’s family to a full-day shopping extravaganza. And based on consumer response this year and last, that’s just where we’re headed.

99. More Ideas for Holiday Givebacks - Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Last week we spotlighted The Exchange Club Family Center, which is an organization focused on helping families and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Before we announce the topic for this week’s column, let us thank the hundreds of volunteers that came out on Saturday, Nov. 17, for the McKellar Lake Cleanup. More than 5,000 pounds of trash was removed from the area with 2,750 pounds being recycled. Now it is time to explore a few ways we can give back using holiday cards, honorariums and unwrapped toys.

100. Facebook Proposes to End Voting on Privacy Issues - Monday, November 26, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Facebook is proposing to end its practice of letting users vote on changes to its privacy policies. The company says it will continue to let users comment on proposed updates.