Old-school word-of-mouth marketing has a new face in today’s world. It’s called influencer marketing, and it has some serious horsepower behind it. Engage the right influencers to talk about your brand through their social channels, and your message has the potential to reach brand new audiences, generally with a higher level of credibility behind the message than sheer self-promotion.

2. Last Word: Bob Smith Talks, Crosstown Anniversary and Grant's Parking Lot - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Bob Smith’s testimony was a good part of the first day of the nonjury trial that began Monday before Memphis Federal Court Judge Jon McCalla on police surveillance of protesters. Smith was the alias used by Police Sgt. Tim Reynolds – Reynolds acknowledged during his testimony Monday Downtown. The identity was also used by several other officers.

3. Crosstown Concourse Leaders Switch Financing - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Crosstown Concourse now has permanent financing that replaces a complex mosaic of financing from dozens of institutions that allowed the renovation and readaptation of the 1.5-million-square-foot landmark.

4. Events - Thursday, August 2, 2018

Employment Seeker will host a veterans career fair and diversity job expo Thursday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton, 5069 Sanderlin Ave. Veterans and civilians can network with employers and apply for more than 600 positions. Bring plenty of resumes; business attire required. Admission and parking are free. Pre-register at employmentseeker.net.

5. Events - Wednesday, August 1, 2018

The new Youth Academy of Dreams will host its open house and fun day Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 3350 N. Trezevant St. Local dignitaries and entertainer iHeartMemphis will make a special appearance. The facility houses a new after-school program designed to help youth ages 5 to 18 reach their full potential through comprehensive programming that includes education, mentoring, discovery and sports. Visit youthacademyofdreams.org.

6. Events - Saturday, July 28, 2018

Tennessee’s 2018 Sales Tax Holiday takes place Friday, July 27, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 29, at 11:59 p.m. Shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less. Visit tntaxholiday.com for details and lists of tax-exempt and taxable items.

7. Hill Bellan Rejoins Shea, Moskovitz & McGhee - Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Attorney Hillary Hill Bellan, who originally joined Shea, Moskovitz & McGhee in 2012, says she always enjoyed working at the law firm and missed it when she moved to Florida in 2014. Now she is back in Memphis and has rejoined the firm, focusing her practice exclusively on family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, child support modifications, parental relocation and termination of parental rights.

8. Events - Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Creative Aging’s Senior Arts Series continues Wednesday, July 18, at 1:30 p.m. at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Road Extended. The performance features bass-baritone vocalist Laurence Albert and Creative Aging storyteller Elaine Blanchard. Tickets available online or at the door for a minimum donation of $5 (cash or check only). Visit creativeagingmidsouth.org.

9. Events - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Memphis River Parks Partnership hosts Urban M: Considering the Future of Mud Island with Leslie Koch Tuesday, July 17, at 4 p.m. at Beale Street Landing, 215 Riverside Drive. Koch will discuss her work leading the transformation of Governors Island in New York and lessons that can be applied in Memphis. Visit facebook.com/memriverparks for details.

10. Events - Monday, July 16, 2018

The Whitehaven Farmers Market, hosted by Methodist South Hospital, is open Monday, July 16, from noon to 5 p.m. in front of Methodist South’s Medical Office Complex, 1300 Wesley Drive. Shop locally grown fruits and vegetables, then visit the University of Tennessee Extension booth, Farmers’ Market Fresh, for children’s activities, food demonstrations, recipes and more. The market continues Mondays through Sept. 24, except for Sept. 3. For more information, call 901-516-3580.

11. Events - Saturday, July 14, 2018

POTS@TheWorks presents the world premiere of “CRIB” Friday, July 13, through July 29 at TheatreWorks, 2085 Monroe Ave. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

Omega Ministries/Omega Healthy Practices and the Healthcare Organizations of Greater Memphis Coalition host the Back to School Family Affair Saturday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Student-Alumni Center, 800 Madison Ave. Free and open to the public; free backpacks with supplies will be given to the first 500 people with a parent or guardian present.

12. Preds Pay High Price For ‘Win-Now’ Mindset - Friday, July 13, 2018

By the time the Predators made their first selection of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft last month, 110 prospects had been chosen by rival teams. Nashville had previously traded away its picks in the draft’s first three rounds, with two of the deals adding experienced players to the Preds’ talented core last season.

13. Last Word: Another Twist in Court, Harris-Lenoir at NCRM and Fairgrounds Specifics - Wednesday, July 11, 2018

One more twist in the early voting schedule that kicks off Friday. It came in the second day of hearings Tuesday in Chancery Court as Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins was preparing to sign the court order from Monday night’s hearing. The election commission said it couldn’t meet the order’s deadline of opening all 27 sites on Monday. Jenkins made it a Tuesday opening but this nearly went off the rails.

14. Former Football Player Mario Reed Spreads Message of Never Losing Hope - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

It took relatively little time for Mario Reed to figure out that to survive in a life without the use of his arms and legs – taken from him in a split second during a high school football game in 1997, he would have to look inward – as deep as he could go.

15. NIH Ends Alcohol Study, Citing Funding, Credibility Problems - Monday, June 18, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government is shutting down a study that was supposed to show if a single drink a day could prevent heart attacks, saying ethical problems with how the research was planned and funded undermine its credibility.

16. Morris' Secret Helped Pass Civil Rights Cold Case Laws - Friday, June 15, 2018

Charlie Morris was known for decades as a political operative who defined a brand of grassroots-style campaigning and political involvement in North Memphis. He and his late wife, Alma, operating out of a barber shop in a Quonset hut off Chelsea Avenue, endorsed candidates and worked for them at the polls – going door-to-door in their neighborhood in what was the most basic kind of political organizing.

17. Schowen Named Manager Of Baptist Ambulance - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Greg Schowen has been named general manager of Baptist Ambulance, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies that currently serves 10 Baptist Memorial Health Care facilities with interfacility transport, as well as six communities with 911 response. Schowen brings 25 years of experience overseeing operations for emergency medical service providers in high-performance 911 service areas, including Los Angeles County, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

18. Evidence to Action - Thursday, May 31, 2018

She remembers the government cheese – “It was delicious” – but she would like to forget the taste of those dried eggs. “I absolutely hated those eggs,” said Dr. Renee Wilson-Simmons, new executive director of the ACE Awareness Foundation in Memphis. “To this day, I don’t like eggs. I still have that can. It’s a reminder of where I came from.”

19. Self-Accountability Key to Sales Success - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

I’ve always contended that there are few business professions as challenging as a career in sales, which is why it’s not at all surprising that more than 45 percent of salespeople don’t meet their annual quota, according to a CSO Insights performance management study.

20. Bid Farewell to Trial-and-Error Marketing - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

The average company spends 3 to 5 percent of revenue on marketing, which is certainly not a trivial expense. Why, then, do so many companies invest so little time in the construction of the marketing plan that ensures that investment is well-spent?

21. May 4-10, 2018: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, May 5, 2018

1989: The Beale Street Music Festival is a two-day affair spread across nine nightclubs on Beale, the stage in Handy Park, a tent and First Baptist Church on Beale. J. Blackfoot and Nighthawks featuring Jimmy Hall as well as Rufus Thomas and Ruby Wilson are the headliners in a mostly local, blues-centric lineup with some zydeco and blues-flavored rock thrown in.
The church stage is open only on Sunday and features an afternoon and evening lineup of gospel singers and groups. Among the other Memphis performers are Joyce Cobb, Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers, Don McMinn and the Rum Boogie Band, Human Radio, Kaya & The Weldors, Jimmy Davis and Fat Man & The Maniacs.

22. Repeatable Sales = Scalable Growth - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

For many business-to-business (B2B) companies, the ability to grow correlates directly with the ability to effectively expand the sales team.

If each member of your team has his own approach to selling your company’s products and services, replicating success and scaling your company can be difficult. In contrast, if all members of the sales team follow a proven, predictable sales process – with appropriate allowances for individual selling styles – it’s much easier to scale your sales team more quickly, efficiently and successfully.

23. Enticing Landing Pages That Convert - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

In the lead-capture business, the formula for success is straightforward on the surface: an offer strategy that your target market finds relevant, engaging ad content in a format that grabs the consumer, and an effective landing page that compels those consumers to take action.

24. Events - Saturday, April 21, 2018

Circuit Playhouse will present the regional premiere of “Stupid F#!&ing Bird” Friday, April 20, through May 13 at 51 S. Cooper St. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

25. Events - Friday, April 20, 2018

Circuit Playhouse will present the regional premiere of “Stupid F#!&ing Bird” Friday, April 20, through May 13 at 51 S. Cooper St. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

26. Dogs + Vodka = Winning Marketing Strategy - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

New York Times best-selling author, Robert Cialdini, is known for his expertise on the subject of persuasion – specifically the role it plays in driving consumers to purchase.

In his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” Cialdini cites six key principles of influence – one being the concept of “liking.” In its simplest form, this principle states that consumers are more easily persuaded to make a purchase by people they like. “Liking,” in this sense, doesn’t mean there is necessarily friendship. It is about discovering common attributes. Sales reps who draw attention to commonalities with prospects have a greater chance of closing the sale. The same holds true for your marketing effort.

27. Events - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The National Civil Rights Museum will host a discussion with the editors of “An Unseen Light: Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee” Tuesday, April 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the museum, 450 Mulberry St. In the book, 17 scholars examine the city’s role in African-American history. Editors Aram Goudsouzian and Charles McKinney will be joined by four of the authors: Beverly Bond, Charles Hughes, Zandria Robinson and Elton Weaver. Cost is free. Visit civilrightsmuseum.org.

28. Pruitt Brings Fresh, Quieter Approach To Football Practice - Friday, April 13, 2018

I find the culture shift of Tennessee football under new head coach Jeremy Pruitt this spring to be refreshing.

29. Annual WFGM Awards Celebrate Contributions of Local Women - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Three Memphis women who have dedicated their lives to improving life in the city they call home will be honored for their contributions this week.

The Rev. Sonia Louden Walker, Anita S. Vaughn and Fredrika “Freddi” Felt will be the recipients at this year’s Legends Awards sponsored by the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM).

30. Journeys Group Distribution Center Expands in Tennessee - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee distribution center is expanding and expects to add as many as 75 jobs in the next five years.

Journeys Group said in a new release its Lebanon distribution center was expanded by more than 200,000 square feet (18,580 square meters) and now totals 540,000 square feet.

31. Aggressively Grow Email Subscribers - Wednesday, March 28, 2018

One of the most cost-effective strategies for driving web traffic and generating online leads is email marketing. Unfortunately, most small and mid-sized companies have an email database filled mostly of current clients, business partners and other friends of the firm. To put a fire under your email marketing and dramatically boost results, follow these five steps for growing your email database.

32. Medical Marijuana Legislation Moves Ahead - Thursday, March 1, 2018

NASHVILLE – Bolstered by House Speaker Beth Harwell’s tie-breaking vote, Rep. Jeremy Faison’s medical marijuana legislation took an important step Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the General Assembly.

33. Last Word: Filing Deadline, Case & Vance In May and Paul Manafort at the Rivermont - Thursday, February 15, 2018

By our count, when the noon Thursday deadline for candidates in the May county primaries has come and gone, there could be -- could be -- four incumbent county commissioners who are effectively re-elected to their seats for another four-year term. And we already know the commission will have at least seven new faces in September. More interesting is that there are only four sets of primaries – all for countywide offices – that have multiple contenders in each primary. That’s out of 23 offices on the primary ballot.

34. $5M Building Permit Filed for Hotel Indigo - Saturday, February 10, 2018

Atlanta-based Three P Partners has filed a $5 million building permit application with the Office of Construction Code Enforcement to construct a 118-room Hotel Indigo at the corner of North B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue.

35. Hotel Indigo, Trader Joe’s Move Ahead - Monday, February 12, 2018

22 N B.B. King Blvd., Memphis, TN 38103: Atlanta-based Three P Partners has filed a $5 million building permit application with the Office of Construction Code Enforcement to construct a 118-room Hotel Indigo at the corner of North B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue.

36. $5M Building Permit Filed for Hotel Indigo - Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Atlanta-based Three P Partners has filed a $5 million building permit application with the Office of Construction Code Enforcement to construct a 118-room Hotel Indigo at the corner of North B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue.

37. The Day After - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

There is perhaps no greater scrutiny that a brand faces than during the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year. Courageous brands bet big that their ad will win hearts and minds, but alas, only 36 percent of Super Bowl ads earned favorable ratings from our team of advertising professionals, likely making for some uncomfortable ad execs on the hot seat Monday morning.

38. $5M Permit Filed for New Hotel Indigo - Monday, February 5, 2018

Atlanta-based Three P Partners has filed a $5 million building permit application with the Office of Construction Code Enforcement to construct a 118-room Hotel Indigo at the corner of North B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue.

39. Rotating Forrest Bust Out of Capitol Gains Momentum - Thursday, February 1, 2018

Confederate Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s days in the State Capitol could be numbered. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, says he could support a move to rotate Forrest’s bust out of the Capitol and make sure Capitol displays are “more reflective of the entire history of Tennessee.”

40. Mystery Surrounds Super Bowl Ads - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

In another record-breaking year, with ad costs exceeding $5 million per 30-second spot, big brands are, once again, putting it all on the line. Some will score big and others will be answering to their boards about their multimillion-dollar blunders.

41. University of Memphis Baseball Team To Count More on Pitching in 2018 - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

On April 5 last season, the University of Memphis baseball team owned a 20-9 record and twice had beaten Ole Miss – once when the Rebels were ranked eighth nationally and once when they were ranked 11th.

42. Top 10 2018 Marketing Trends, Part 2 - Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series. As a small or mid-sized company CEO, time is likely not a luxury with which you’re familiar. Staying abreast of evolving marketing technology can seem impossible in light of all of your competing priorities. That’s why this year’s top 10 marketing trends for the new year are tailor-made for companies of your size – strategies which can be practically applied in 2018 on a small to mid-sized company budget.

43. Top 10 2018 Marketing Trends, Part 1 - Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series. The field of marketing is evolving at an unprecedented rate. If you simply don’t have the time to dig in – which is reality for many a small and mid-sized company CEO with limited internal marketing resources – it can feel like a runaway train. 

44. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some Who Died in 2017 - Monday, January 1, 2018

They made music that inspired legions of fans. Rock 'n' roll founding fathers Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, rockers Tom Petty and Gregg Allman, grunge icon Chris Cornell, country superstar Glen Campbell and jazz great Al Jarreau were among the notable figures who died in 2017, leaving a void in virtually every genre of music.

45. Democrats Look to Cooperate on Key Issues - Thursday, December 28, 2017

With the state’s budget projected to be tight and lawmakers lining up to run for re-election in 2018, the coming legislative session isn’t expected to yield many surprises.

But the 110th General Assembly still has a long row to hoe as the session starts Jan. 9 with new legislative offices and committee rooms in the renovated Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville.

46. Make These Sales Resolutions - Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Change is hard for most people, but only through change can we grow. The new year is the perfect time to take a hard look at what worked in your sales approach and what didn’t deliver for you in 2017, to break ineffective sales habits, and to resolve to adjust your approach.

47. Fall Creek Falls: Sound Plan or Political Payback - Thursday, December 21, 2017

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Now go find a job. That’s the message the state of Tennessee is sending nearly 60 employees at Fall Creek Falls State Park this joyous holiday season.

48. Possible Trader Joe’s Update, New $35M Airport Facility - Monday, December 18, 2017

In this week’s Real Estate Recap, a new development in the saga of Germantown’s Trader Joe’s, Memphis International Airport begins work on a new $35 million facility, and Central BBQ announces a new a location...

49. 5 Deadly Sales Call Pitfalls - Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Good, old-fashioned sales calls are making a comeback, given how few salespeople are leveraging them anymore. With digital communication now serving as the preferred form of initial outreach to new prospects, there is a sizable opportunity for sales reps skilled at making a truly skillful sales call. 

50. Events - Saturday, December 9, 2017

Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church will host “Noel! Noel!” Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at MBCC’s Midtown campus, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd. The Christmas celebration will feature chart-topping soul singer Avery Sunshine and other local and national artists. Cost is free. Visit theblvd.org or call 901-729-6222.

51. Events - Friday, December 8, 2017

Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church will host “Noel! Noel!” Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at MBCC’s Midtown campus, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd. The Christmas celebration will feature chart-topping soul singer Avery Sunshine and other local and national artists. Cost is free. Visit theblvd.org or call 901-729-6222.

52. Does Your Brand Evoke Emotion? - Wednesday, November 29, 2017

The essence of a brand isn’t so much about rationale arguments; instead, it’s how it makes the market feel emotionally. So believed the late Steve Jobs: “Nike sells a commodity, they sell shoes. And yet when you think of Nike you feel something different than a shoe company. In their ads, as you know, they don’t ever talk about the product. … What’s Nike do in their advertising? They honor great athletes and … great athletics. That is what they are about.”

53. Junior Achievement Honors Teachers, Supporters - Saturday, November 18, 2017

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South held its annual meeting at its Kemmons Wilson Entrepreneurial Training Center, where it recognized local teachers, volunteers and supporters for their participation and partnership in the nonprofit's educational programs.

54. Junior Achievement Teachers, Supporters, Volunteers Honored - Monday, November 13, 2017

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South held its annual meeting at its Kemmons Wilson Entrepreneurial Training Center, where it recognized local teachers, volunteers and supporters for their participation and partnership in the nonprofit's educational programs.

55. The Power Of Saying No - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

When your business is young, you naturally welcome every new customer with open arms in an effort to generate cash flow and get on your feet. Too many business owners have trouble breaking that pattern, however, even after their business is more established, with the “say yes to everything” mentality trickling down to the front-line sales team. This can ultimately be a death sentence to a business.

56. Indie Memphis Film Fest Goes All Out For 20th Anniversary - Saturday, November 4, 2017

Indie Memphis Film Festival’s 20th run this week has seen a record number of guests and more than 100 filmmakers from around the world descending on the Bluff City.

The festival that seems to get more popular every year continues will a full day of screenings Saturday, Nov. 4, and continues through Monday night, Nov. 6, when a free reception will be held at the Halloran Centre Downtown.

57. The Week Ahead: Oct. 30 - Nov. 5 - Monday, October 30, 2017

Good morning, Memphis. Get out those heavier jackets as the weather is much cooler than it has been. The annual Indie Memphis Film Festival highlights a week of entertaining options and the Memphis Hustle play their first home game in Southaven’s Landers Center. Happy Halloween!

58. Avoid These Top Sales Excuses - Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Sales greats have the ability to adapt based on their audience, are able to embrace rejection as an express pass to their next “yes” and generally have a high degree of emotional intelligence. But even veteran sales pros can fall into the trappings of excuse making as a way to cope with sales hurdles. 

59. Hartnell: ‘It’s Very Comforting’ to be Back - Friday, October 13, 2017

Scott Hartnell ran into unexpected difficulty back in 2000 on one of his very first road trips with the Nashville Predators.

It happened during “Rookie Night,” a time-honored tradition in which the team’s first-year players pay for the pricey dinners of their teammates and trainers.

60. Avoid These Sales Proposals Fails - Wednesday, October 11, 2017

You put so much time and energy into getting a prospect to agree to a meeting, preparing for that meeting, pitching your services and gaining agreement from the prospect to consider buying. So why, all too often, is so little time spent on the sales proposal itself? It’s like running the ball to the 10-yard line and then sitting down on the field, which inconsequentially, is essentially what my team did this past Sunday.

61. Steele Joins Southern Growth Studio’s Anthropology Team - Wednesday, October 11, 2017

April Steele has joined Southern Growth Studio as a business anthropologist, responsible for collecting and analyzing data to evaluate existing and potential products and services. Steele’s hire comes as the Memphis-based innovation consulting firm grows its applied anthropology practice. Using qualitative social research methods like ethnography, the anthropology team steers the innovation process, conducting primary research to distill and communicate key insights to clients.

62. Retired FedEx Exec Rodriguez Becomes City of Memphis CIO - Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Mike Rodriguez recently became the city of Memphis’ director of information services and chief information officer, a role he took on after retiring from a 27-year career at FedEx Corp. Rodriguez, who most recently served as FedEx’s director of information security, was nominated as city CIO by Mayor Jim Strickland and confirmed by the Memphis City Council Sept. 23.

63. Kicking It Up a Notch: Indie Memphis Unveils Fall Lineup - Friday, September 29, 2017

After helping host a preview party this week that served as the unveiling of the full lineup of this year’s Indie Memphis Film Festival, festival executive director Ryan Watt was confident enough about what’s coming to declare the organization has taken things to a new level this year.

64. Taylor Joins JA As VP of Development - Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Latoria Taylor has been named vice president of development for Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South. She oversees all fundraising and marketing efforts for the nonprofit, which is dedicated to teaching children “how business works” and inspiring them to own their economic success.

65. Widening The Path - Saturday, September 23, 2017

He asked to only be a small part of this story. But when you come up with an idea so good, so powerful, that it’s named as one of the top 20 ideas in the Forbes Change the World Competition, you are the story’s foundation.

66. UTHSC Professor Awarded Special Designation - Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Dr. Thaddeus Wilson, a faculty member at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has been elected a fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Wilson is an associate professor in the radiology and pharmaceutical sciences departments of UTHSC’s Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy.

67. Last Word: The Amazon Competition, Millington Shelters and Grizz Ownership Drama - Friday, September 8, 2017

With a social media post Thursday morning, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the city is ready to compete in a very public competition for the $5-billion second North American headquarters Amazon.com announced earlier Thursday. Some context here. The $5 billion investment by Amazon in what it calls HQ2 compares to the $9 billion St. Jude is investing in its expansion including about $1 billion in capital costs and the rest research, technology and other development costs included in what is more than a physical expansion.

68. ‘Divisive Symbols’: Mississippi Case Offers Hope for Forrest Bust Removal - Thursday, September 7, 2017

State Sen. Lee Harris is encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s request for the state of Mississippi to respond to a lawsuit seeking to remove the Confederate battle flag from its state flag.

69. Baptist Opens Specialty Pharmacy - Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Baptist Memorial Health Care has opened the first specialty pharmacy in the system, a place that the hospital’s leadership says is especially well-suited to care for the medication needs of patients dealing with chronic health conditions.

70. Hospital in Mississippi Downsizing Amid Financial Issues - Monday, September 4, 2017

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi hospital seeking to offset reduced revenues is closing its skilled nursing unit and community health department in addition to scaling back its inpatient mental health center.

71. I Recommend a New Novel - Friday, September 1, 2017

They read us like a book. When I was growing up, The Book Shelf was about where the northwest corner of the Kroger in Poplar Plaza is now. It smelled like books – not the library smell of tomes and the weight of knowledge, but the smell of brand-new information, shiny new possibilities, a world of discovery on a personal scale.

72. Ignite Your Website’s SEO - Wednesday, August 30, 2017

You have likely invested, to some degree, in search engine optimization – or SEO – to improve how prospective customers find you via an internet search. Unfortunately, few companies continue to invest in this vital strategy.

73. Season 3: Time for QB Mariota To Become a Star - Friday, August 25, 2017

If Year 1 was a good start and Year 2 was another step in the right direction, what should we expect of Marcus Mariota in Year 3?

How about a playoff berth for the team he quarterbacks.

Granted, there are many other factors in play that will determine the success, failure or return to mediocrity of the Titans in 2017. Has the defensive backfield been successfully retooled? Can the offensive line remain one of the best in the NFL? Will the additions at wide receiver pay the expected dividends?

74. State Panel Sheds New Light on Racial Atrocities - Thursday, August 24, 2017

State Rep. Johnnie Turner has seen what can happen when old wounds are never allowed to heal.

She’s seen it most recently in clashes between neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klansmen and white supremacists and those who resisted their hatred in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a counter-protester was killed and 19 were injured when a car was intentionally driven into a group of counter protesters. Two state troopers also died in a helicopter crash that weekend.

75. Analysts say Trump's warning to Pakistan could backfire - Wednesday, August 23, 2017

ISLAMABAD (AP) — President Donald Trump's warning to Pakistan to put an "immediate" end to harboring militants operating in Afghanistan didn't spell out the consequences of defiance or suggest a new strategy to get it to yield to longstanding U.S. demands, analysts said Tuesday.

76. Events - Saturday, August 19, 2017

Church Health will hold its 11th annual Rock for Love summer music event Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19, in collaboration with the grand opening of Crosstown Concourse. All events are free with a $10 suggested donation that benefits Church Health. Visit churchhealth.org/events for full details and lineups.

77. Remaking Crosstown - Saturday, August 19, 2017

As he was leading tours through Crosstown Concourse this month, Todd Richardson took a small group to a set of windows for a balcony view of an addition being constructed on the north side of the property.

78. Events - Friday, August 18, 2017

Church Health will hold its 11th annual Rock for Love summer music event Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19, in collaboration with the grand opening of Crosstown Concourse. All events are free with a $10 suggested donation that benefits Church Health. Visit churchhealth.org/events for lineups.

79. Feeling Like Home - Thursday, August 17, 2017

During the construction phase, Shelby Farms Park executive director Jen Andrews would often look out her office window and imagine what the new Heart of the Park project would look like when it was done.

80. Events - Wednesday, August 16, 2017

“ELVIS: Live in Concert” is Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 8 p.m. at FedExForum, 191 Beale St. In this live concert event experience, a full symphony orchestra performs live on stage with Elvis on the big screen. The evening will feature an appearance by Priscilla Presley and surprise guests. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com. Visit graceland.com/elvisweek/schedule for details.

81. The Week Ahead: Aug. 14-20 - Monday, August 14, 2017

Hello, Memphis! School was the big opening last week, but this week it’s the majestic Crosstown Concourse, the 1.5 million-square-foot tower on Cleveland Street at North Parkway. It is hosting a six-hour extravaganza of tours, music, food and the arts. Check out the details, plus more Elvis Week events and other need-to-know happenings in The Week Ahead...

82. Baptist Opens Midtown Grief Center - Thursday, July 27, 2017

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. has opened a second grief center, an extension of the grief counseling and related services the hospital has offered for years and is now in the process of expanding.

83. Last Word: Alexander and Corker Differ, Instant Runoff React and Kroger On Hold - Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Tennessee’s two U.S. Senators split their votes Tuesday in Washington on the vote that followed the vote to open debate on a repeal and replacement of Obamacare. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker both voted yes on the debate motion. But then Corker was one of the nine Republican Senate votes that killed the Obamacare replacement plan known as BCRA, while Alexander voted for it.

84. Complacency is the No. 1 Business Killer - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

While the actual activities take on different forms, at the end of the day, I’ve come to the realization that I’m a change agent for companies dissatisfied with their current sales and marketing outcomes. I was taken back years ago by the clarity offered from an area CEO in this statement: “We can’t expect a different outcome if we aren’t willing to change what we’re doing.”

85. Reviving Prospects That Go Dark - Wednesday, July 12, 2017

If you’ve been in sales, you’ve found yourself wondering about a prospect who was highly interested in your offering – and for whom you invested significant time – only to find them suddenly incommunicado.

86. Rhodes Improvements On Track for Fall - Saturday, July 8, 2017

Rhodes College is readying its new, 55,000-square-foot new science facility to open this fall, one of several construction projects underway on the Rhodes campus.

Robertson Hall will house four biology faculty and two chemistry faculty, along with six teaching labs, five research labs and two classrooms. The facility is named for 1933 Rhodes graduate Lola Robertson and 1929 graduate Charles Robertson Sr. in appreciation of the generosity of Patricia and Charles Robertson Jr.

87. Rhodes Improvements On Track for Fall - Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Rhodes College is readying its new, 55,000-square-foot new science facility to open this fall, one of several construction projects underway on the Rhodes campus.

Robertson Hall will house four biology faculty and two chemistry faculty, along with six teaching labs, five research labs and two classrooms. The facility is named for 1933 Rhodes graduate Lola Robertson and 1929 graduate Charles Robertson Sr. in appreciation of the generosity of Patricia and Charles Robertson Jr.

88. $18.5 Million Permit Filed for Central Station Project - Thursday, June 29, 2017

In this week’s Real Estate Recap, developers pull an $18 million permit for the Central Station overhaul, another new Downtown hotel is in the works and the new Laurelwood bookstore gets a restaurant...

89. Chamber Names 2017 Young Memphian Winners - Saturday, June 24, 2017

The Greater Memphis Chamber has announced its official 2017 Young Memphians list, which will be featured in the summer issue of Memphis Crossroads Magazine.

Nominations for the Young Memphians award were submitted via the chamber’s website, social media outlets and email. All nominees must be under 40 and a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber.

90. Chamber Names 2017 Young Memphian Winners - Friday, June 23, 2017

The Greater Memphis Chamber has announced its official 2017 Young Memphians list, which will be featured in the summer issue of Memphis Crossroads Magazine.

Nominations for the Young Memphians award were submitted via the chamber’s website, social media outlets and email. All nominees must be under 40 and a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber.

91. Marketing Folks Should Try Thinking Like a CEO - Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Many marketing professionals have found themselves at odds with their CEO, whether they are not on the same page, have competing priorities or have a different version of success. The same often holds true for marketing agencies and their clients’ leadership teams. The divide can be painful and, for some, impossible to bridge.

92. Arlington Neighborhood Thriving Despite Investor Activity - Monday, June 19, 2017

The Village of Summer Meadows subdivision located off Milton Wilson Drive just north of Interstate 40, behind Arlington High School, is a hot spot for local investors and national hedge funds.

93. Finals Run Gives Predators Look at Young Talent - Friday, June 16, 2017

As if the Nashville Predators’ march to the Stanley Cup Final wasn’t riveting enough on its own, the journey has also provided fans with some unexpected glimpses into the team’s future.

94. From LinkedIn Amateur to Pro - Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part series. LinkedIn is one of the few social platforms that still allows your network to see your organic, unpaid content. It also is the single largest social platform focused exclusively on the business sector. So, if all you use it for is accepting the occasional connection request, it’s time to stop playing and get serious.

95. The Health Of Care - Saturday, June 10, 2017

There's a school of thought in some industries that says it's ideal to have a narrow focus, to pick just one or a few things to excel at and not try to be all things to all people – that when you do so and go broad, you’re likely to end up instead being a master of nothing.

96. Stop Playing & Get Serious About LinkedIn - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series. Would it shock you to learn that one out of every three professionals on the planet and two-thirds of working-age Memphians are on LinkedIn? Perhaps even more surprising is that only one-third of LinkedIn users report fully leveraging it. That’s an enormous amount of unproductive effort and missed opportunity. 

97. Last Word: Don McMinn, Frayser's Recovery and The Clean Line - Monday, June 5, 2017

Back in the late 1970s when Beale Street was still rotting and behind chain link fences and Downtown Memphis was in recovery in every sense of the word, there was a poster of Don McMinn standing in front of the statue of W.C. Handy on Beale with his back to the camera spreading open the raincoat he was wearing in Handy’s direction. The caption was something about exposing the world to the blues. That’s not the only image that comes to mind of those times with word Sunday that McMinn has died.

98. Last Word: Don McMinn, Frayser's Recovery and The Clean Line - Monday, June 5, 2017

Back in the late 1970s when Beale Street was still under construction and Downtown Memphis was in recovery in every sense of the word, there was a poster of Don McMinn standing in front of the statue of W.C. Handy on Beale with his back to the camera spreading open the raincoat he was wearing in Handy’s direction. The caption was something about exposing the world to the blues. That’s not the only image that comes to mind of those times with word Sunday that McMinn has died.

99. Pending Elvis Week Will Encompass New Amenities - Thursday, May 18, 2017

Graceland Plaza is just about all gone. Only a few brick storefronts remained Tuesday, May 16, in the area across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the late entertainer’s mansion. The late 1960s-era shopping center that became the entry point for tours of the mansion starting in the 1980s is being demolished to become a new entry point and green space for the $45 million Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex that opened in March.

100. Last Word: Railgarten Redux, Raleigh Springs Mall and Forrest Author Speaks - Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Railgarten II, Son of Railgarten, Railgarten, Beyond the Board of Adjustment, Railgarten, Enter The City Council … Take your pick of sequel titles. Railgarten goes back to the City Council Tuesday for at least a committee discussion in which the council considers whether it should take back the special use permit it granted the bar-restaurant. This is a follow up to the Board of Adjustment decision last month to delay any action on approving the other annexes of the business for 30 days.