People You Need to Know Magazine's ~ Briefcases & Stilettos Newspaper is once again providing great exposure via 25,000 printed copies for business owners in metro Atlanta, giving them an opportunity to rise above the crowd and get widespread recognition for their products and services.

Very few people actually love the element of change. It breaks up the monotony of life, causing us to slow down and pay close attention to what is going on in our surroundings. Life’s shifts will often bring unease and unrest to the lives of many.

In business, change is definitely a fact of life. Today’s climate may have an employee working in the office today, but that same employee may be terminated tomorrow. Long gone are the days when corporations expected to keep an employee for years on end. That time has passed.

Most people know that even if they are employed, they must work as the CEO of their own life because there are no guarantees and they must be prepared for whatever comes their way.

When faced with change, our first response is usually resistance. We do this by fight or flight. Just tell your team members that something new is coming down the pipeline, and you’ll probably hear 10 reasons why the change should not take place. On the other hand, in extreme situations, people have been known to exercise the flight response and clean out their office on the very same day a new administration takes charge because they are not willing to deal with certain new changes that might occur.

Change can be a bridge to something better and more exciting. It can also lead you down a path that really wasn’t your choice; nevertheless, you should still be on the lookout for opportunities along the way.

We are more flexible than we realize and I believe that without change, none of us could ever reach our full potential. So embrace change, and be willing to get uncomfortable in order to keep growing, changing and evolving.

~Jacqueline

Not many men are willing to say that WOMEN are smarter than men, but People You Need to Know Magazine (PYNTK) publisher, Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas, isn’t one of them. His business magazine shines the spotlight on the education, talent, beauty and brilliance of women.

“After working with women in professional settings for more than 25 years, I’ve found women are smarter than men,” he says without apology. “They are better leaders, better team players, more creative, better listeners, more willing to work for the greater good, and more likely to share their wealth, time, knowledge, information, and ideas. In addition, women are using their female advantage to create millions of jobs.”

For anyone who contests Spark Plug’s point of view, good luck. Statistics convincingly back him up. According to Forbes.com, women are America’s new job-creating power force. There are 9.1 million women-owned businesses which employ 27.1 million people and contribute an astounding 3.6 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. According to The Center for Women’s Business Research, the Metro Atlanta area alone has 185,313 women-owned businesses which collectively generate 39 billion dollars in revenues annually. The National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO) found that in spite of the recession, women-owned businesses continue to grow in Georgia. For Spark Plug, these compelling numbers are an indication that the 21^st Century woman is on a momentous rise to the top and determined to uplift others along her way. She is showing and proving her worth in this male-dominated society in an undeniable way.

Spark Plug says, “One reason I believe most men are slow to recognize a woman’s true worth is because of their deep-seated insecurities and fear that it will somehow take away from their own power.” This concept is one which he elaborates on in his new speech entitled, “A Woman’s Worth: What Men are Afraid to Admit They Know About Women.”

Spark Plug believes “Men of influence should do everything in their power to give women the recognition they so richly deserve,” which is why his publication, People You Need to Know Magazine, is Metro Atlanta’s premier business spotlight magazine for women. Their yearly circulation of 500,000 highlights women business owners and professionals, giving them the kind of exposure that is typically reserved for Hollywood celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs. The support is something that women business owners really appreciate in metro Atlanta, where women are starting more businesses than ever before.

Entrepreneur and Atlanta Business Celebrity, Stormy Wellington, is one of those women who is thankful for the magazine and Spark Plug’s assistance. “You can't even imagine how much you have helped me to build my business,” said Stormy on Spark Plug Radio. “And women, if you are out there as entrepreneurs, you definitely want to get with Spark Plug because he will take your business to a new level.”

"Spark Plug and the People You Need to Know Network is an amazing vehicle to promote your business and market your brand,” agrees new client, Taunya A. Lowe, PhD, owner of The Resurgent Group of Metro Atlanta. “I was ready to take my business to the next level but wasn't sure exactly how. The following week, I met Spark Plug and did not hesitate to get my business featured in People You Need to Know Magazine.” Lorie Johnson, MD, President of Just For You Women’s Healthcare says, “I’ve seen my business grow by advertising in People You Need to Know Magazine.”

PYNTK is not a magazine that sells conventional advertising, it’s much more than that. Since 1993, they have offered entrepreneurs and businesswomen hope, inspiration, opportunities, credibility, trust, and most importantly, recognition. Spark Plug’s favorite quote and the driving force behind his magazine is, “When women succeed, the nation prospers.”

Spark Plug was inspired to support businesswomen because of the positive influence women have had in his life. “My wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunts, have all been a positive influence in my life,” he says. “I am a better man today because of them. I honor women business owners as a way to say “thank you” to all the women, past and present, who have helped me on my journey.”

Spark Plug is a member of the Atlanta Press Club and won “Best Promoter” at the New America Media Conference and has been the recipient of the Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s most prestigious honor for community service. He is also a US Navy Veteran, author, radio talk show host, motivational speaker, and world traveler. People You Need to Know Magazine can be found in the metro Atlanta area at Kroger, QuickTrip, Whole Foods stores and online.

For interview requests or speaking engagements call 770-460-5995 or email SparkPlug@SparkPlugPeople.com

When women gather together to talk about business, you’d better believe there will be excitement in the air and you will leave with some valuable information that can be applied immediately.

Once again, this held true on June 3, 2011. The Commerce Club, Atlanta’s elegant and stylish meeting place for people who are making things happen in the metro area was the site for the quarterly Transforming Women Entrepreneurs (TWE) symposium presented by Progressive Techniques, Inc.

Nancy Lewis, (pictured above) the Founder of TWE and the President of Progressive Techniques, Inc., was the host of this much-anticipated and inspiring quarterly event, especially designed to help women entrepreneurs succeed. Nancy is one of the newest members of the People You Need to Know Magazine Network of first-class women-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Her company, Progressive Techniques Inc., is a leader in “Developing a Better You” and her A-list clients such as Delta Airlines, AT&T, Chick-fil-A and many more, rave about her energetic, uplifting and inspiring presentations. Nancy Lewis is a leading motivational/inspirational speaker, trainer, business coach and author. She is well-connected and immensely respected in the metro Atlanta business community.

At People You Need to Know Magazine, we were honored to be a media partner at this phenomenal event. The topic for the morning was “Leveraging Sales & Marketing for Profitability and Business Success.”

The program began promptly at 8:30am with Nancy Lewis welcoming and thanking everyone for coming out to the TWE quarterly meeting. She also gave special recognition to her sponsors for supporting her in her efforts to make a difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs.

At 8:50am, a delicious classic plated American breakfast was served to the esteemed guests and at 9:25am, Nancy introduced one of Atlanta’s favorite personalities, Ms. Tawanda Black, Director of Community Affairs for KISS 104.1 FM in Atlanta. Ms. Black took over as the moderator for the rest of the program. She did an outstanding job introducing the panelists and keeping the program moving along smoothly.

The first panelist to be introduced was Shani T. Godwin, President of Communiqué. Her company offers Strategic Marketing for growing businesses. Shani spoke about “Building Brand Equity.” She believes that building a brand is the same as building any long-term investment. Ms. Godwin pointed out that you should never compromise your brand, and that consistency is essential to your brand building success.

Shani shared her list of low-cost ways to invest in your brand. First, she suggested that when it comes to your brand, you must be consistent with your colors. If your colors are red and white, be sure to stay consistent with everything you do in your branding efforts. Secondly, have key messages that build upon your brand’s strength. Third, make sure everyone in your organization speaks with a united voice about your product or service. Fourth, create messages that resonate with your audience. Fifth, create brand guidelines. Sixth, ask yourself — who do you want to be in the future? Seventh, understand that you don’t have to be everything to all people. Eighth, create marketing materials that have the same look and feel. And last but not least, know who you are when it comes to your brand.

The second panelist to be introduced was Marilynn Mobley, Senior Vice President/Strategic Counsel at Edelman, the world’s largest PR Firm. Edelman has 3,600 employees in 53 offices worldwide. They were named Adverting Age’s PR Firm of the decade. Marilynn talked about “What it Takes to Get the PR to Get You What You Want.” She said that after all is said and done, what people really want more than anything else in business is significance. People want to feel like they really do matter. She encouraged the attendees to be thought leaders. Marilynn did a great job of revealing to the group what the media outlets ultimately want . . . which is, what can you contribute that will make them look really smart? The media, she says, are more interested in helping their readers and viewers, and not just you. Her remarkable insight into the PR world was very informative.

Marilynn believes that media is merging and converging; furthermore, as a result of this new paradigm that we are experiencing today, reporters are looking for reliable sources who know what the trends are, who understand that as thought leaders you must stay in front of reporters because they are very busy, and they are also looking for people who embrace the power of social media. Reporters are getting their sources online at sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and more, she noted. She told the attendees to think of themselves as a resource for clients and media. When it comes to your industry, Marilynn says that you should find out who covers it, and who writes about your industry and subject matter. In addition, find out what’s interesting to a reporter and figure out how you can be of service to them. In closing, she suggested to the attendees that they follow the media as well as pay attention to how the media is changing.

The final panelist to be introduced was Tamiko Leverette, MPA, President, Nonprofit Dreams, LLC. Ms. Leverette also produces a weekly television show called Dreams Are Not For Profit. Tamiko’s presentation was about how for-profit businesses can work with non-profits to save on their marketing. She said business owners should find non-profits to work with or start one of their own. Furthermore, her past experience with non-profits taught her that there are great opportunities for marketing partnerships and a chance to save money and support your community at the same time. It’s a win-win for the non-profit and the business owner because the non-profit gets much needed financial assistance and the tax benefit is great for the business owner because they can write-off the financial contribution.

Ms. Leverette noted that Cause-Related Marketing is always great for business. What Cause-Related Marketing does is let people know that your organization supports a particular cause such as Habitat for Humanity or the United Way. Tamiko encouraged the audience members to partner with non-profits in their small business marketing efforts because they may have the additional resources that your small business may not have, especially during these unstable economic times.

A memorable quote she shared with the attendees was, “The non-profits’ mission is not to make money, but that is not to say they can’t make money.” Tamiko stated that there are 65,000 non-profits in the state of Georgia, and when deciding to partner with a non-profit, it is extremely important to target groups you’re trying to reach. For instance, If you’re trying to reach teachers, target non-profits that work with teachers.

In closing, she said when it comes to non-profit partnerships, most for-profit business owners really need to take a closer look at how this relationship could really help grow their business.

At the end of the panel presentations, the audience members were given the opportunity to ask the panelists a few questions. And after the question and answer session came to a close, it was time for the door prizes to be given away. Nancy Lewis picked the lucky winners of the door prizes by drawing names on business cards from a basket. All sorts of prizes were given away, from make-overs, coaching sessions, gift-bags, books, skin care products and more.

As usual, our People You Need to Know Magazine display table was set-up and ready to welcome all who stopped by to visit with us. One of the first people to stop by our table to say hello was Ms. Sebrena Sumrah-Kelly, (pictured left) President of Caribbean-American Business Connections. Sebrena is one of the newest members of the People You Need to Know Magazine Network of first-class women-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. She will be featured in our upcoming Leading Ladies in Business edition. At the end of the program, many of the attendees stayed around for awhile to network/make new business contacts, and several wanted to find out more about our magazine.

We’d like to give special recognition to a few people whom we had the pleasure of meeting at the event …

• Joanne W. Trawick, Beauty Consultant/President-Aularale Skin Care & Cosmetics
• Doris Taylor, President-4 Rivers Management Worldwide,LLC.
• Tom E. McBeth, Executive Director-Real Parents, Inc.
• Dona Cage, President/CEO-Turnkey Solutions, LLC.
• Carline Robertson, Photographer-Images by Patrick & Carline
• Josephine D. Crawford, PhD,President-Coaching and Training for Success, LLC
• Letia M. Scales, Certified Image Consultant-e-modeinc
• Darrell L. Thomas, Vice President (BRM)-Wells Fargo
• Marlene Kelly, President & CEO-Exhibits South
• Tanesha Clancy, Mentor-Just Us Girls, Inc.
• Patricia Winbush, Education Consultant-Real Parents, Inc.

Once again, People You Need to Know Magazine would like to congratulate Ms. Nancy Lewis for putting together this incredibly exciting, informative and uplifting event that is sure to help many of the people who attended leverage their sales and marketing efforts. If you missed this event, don’t forget to mark your calendar for September 16, 2011, in order to attend the next TWE quarterly program.

People You Need to Know Magazine

Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

As we enter the month of February, a month dedicated to the remembrance of our pilgrimage from being enslaved in the land of the FREE ... a pilgrimage that still has open wounds ... wounds that have been hard to heal ... we cannot afford to turn our heads or close our eyes to what is happening in Egypt. The piercing words which Dr. Martin Luther King wrote in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail are still warm and will never grow cold. He reminded us that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

We cannot turn away from the horror we've witnessed in Egypt. Blood-soaked clothing of people on the streets, screams of those who are injured and in excruciating pain, those wrapped in sheets in the morgues, or the thousands upon thousands camped out, calling for their 30 year iron-fist leader, Hosni Mubarak, to "LEAVE NOW" are all etched in our memory. We cannot deafen our ears to these familiar voices. The voices of those who are ... tired of being oppressed ... tired of police brutality and corruption, tired of not being able to feed their families because of a lack of employment ... these voices cannot be silenced. Even when employed, the wages received are barely enough to survive because of the rising prices of food and other living expenses. A man's dignity is linked to being able to adequately support his family.

To add insult to injury, virtually all Internet access was shut down, temporarily interrupting the protestors' freedom of speech so the rest of the world could not witness what was happening.

Our fate remains intertwined. There will always be people in power who claim to love their country, but not love ALL of the people in it. To me, this is an oxymoron because what is a country without the PEOPLE? And what is the point of having a ruler if there are no people? Furthermore, what kind of love leaves people struggling from day to day without having access to equal opportunities?

As you view these videos, and many others on YouTube, remember ... the thread of humanity does not have any breaks in it, we are all tied together as ONE.

The Tehran Times reported, "According to Nasrallah (Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah) the world is witnessing a real, patriotic, and popular Egyptian revolution in which Muslims and Christians are participating as well as various movements." Nasrallah said “In this revolution, all Egyptians are taking part, including children, women, men, intellectuals, scholars, workers. But the major and strongest element in this revolution remains the youth generation. That’s why we can say that we’re before a complete revolution.”

Egypt reminds us that when people grow weary of being oppressed, abused, and denied basic human rights, they will eventually come together, rise up and rebel out of desperation.

Egypt is not far away. The people are not far away. Egypt is in our homes via television and newspapers. Egypt is in our hands via technology. Some of us have relatives in Egypt and for many of us, Egypt will remain in our hearts because of our common humanity.

~Jacqueline

Share

Loyal subscribers, we appreciate your readership. We have moved to a NEW home. http://SparkPlugPeople.com Please update your Feeds. http://www.sparkplugpeople.com/feed/rss/

We look forward to meeting you there. Take a moment to look around our OFFICIAL site and see what you've been missing.

- Jacqueline

On March 11, 2008, I started blogging for People You Need to Know. I didn't have any major goals in mind, I simply wanted to give Atlanta business owners and professionals more visibility online. I have succeeded.

What I'm most grateful for is the fact that Podbean.com made it easy. Thanks Podbean.

Not too long ago, I started another blog to further expand what I began here. Yes ... I'm still committed to giving Atlanta business owners and professionals great exposure via my blog. It's just something I love to do. So please feel free to visit me at my new site.

A few people have asked me if I'll shut this particular blog down, the answer is no. I like the comfort that I find here. It's where it all began.

Thank you for visiting and reading what I have to post. Your presence has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to another year of promoting business owners and professionals in metro Atlanta.

- Jacqueline

Finally, we are ready for visitors at SparkPlugPeople.com!

It has been quite a journey, but as always, we were determined to move forward. There's nothing more rewarding than to complete a project and then be ready and willing to take on more challenging ones.

This site was our first blog. We had no idea that it would bloom and grow into such a beautiful flower. With that being said, we'd like to thank all of you who stopped by to say hello or read our posts, especially our friends from Entrecard!!!  We'd also like to thank Podbean.com for introducing us to blogging. And for helping us get comfy in our new place, we're giving a special thanks to Mama Asid at RecycledFrockery.com.

As we continue to move forward, we will take your kindness and thoughtfulness with us.  

Yes, we're moving! We're so excited because in just a few days, we'll launch our new blog at SparkPlugPeople.com. From time to time, we'll still post here for sentimental reasons; nevertheless, we must journey onward.

We'll also be launching our brand new publication in June called, Spark Plug People, showcasing business people who inspire, so stay tuned.

Thank you all for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate those of you who have subscribed to this blog.  It is our hope that you will follow us to our next destination because we have an exciting layout, and we're looking forward to providing great information, just for YOU.

If you haven't seen our showcase of 2010 Business Professionals of the Year ... take a peek.

No matter what happens ... always move forward,

People You Need to Know, Inc.

Dr. Larona Gore was born in Brooklyn, New York, but spent the majority of her childhood in North Carolina. She is a 1992 graduate of Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where she received her BS degree in Business Administration.

She is also a graduate of Life University Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, where she received her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree in 2008. Dr. Gore is the owner and Chiropractic physician at the New Life Chiropractic & Wellness Center, LLC of Marietta.

Currently, Dr. Gore is a member and associate minister at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. She is also the President and CEO of Larona Johnson Gore Ministries, a non-profit organization, and has produced various gospel music projects.

Dr. Gore has traveled throughout the country ministering the word of God in word and song. She produced and was featured in a 30 minute television show, the "Larona Gore Gospel Special" that aired on Fox Television in North and South Carolina in 2001 and 2002.

Other memberships include the Cobb County NAACP, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Executive Women, Georgia Chiropractic Association, and the International Chiropractic Association.

We proudly welcome Dr. Larona Gore to the Network. Look for her on the next cover of People You Need to Know! Her office can be reached at (770) 427-0044.

If you are anything like me, you love eBay! At one point in my life, I was hooked on eBay. In fact, I was on a first name basis with the UPS carrier. I've bought brand new shoes, leather coats and even textbooks on eBay! My ten year old daughter even makes her way to the site every now and then to “check-out” the deals. But I’m not just an online shopper; I've also had some luck in unloading an item or two. It beats having a garage sale and hoping someone will show up. We all have something better to do with our Saturdays.

eBay and other online auction sites are still today’s hottest trends. And if you're like me and many other Americans, you may have caught the online auction bug. Whether you are posting unwanted items from your attic or basement or have intentions of becoming a virtual entrepreneur, you should be aware of the tax rules that apply to your sales proceeds.

So I’m sure you are asking, what’s the deal? Is it taxable or not? Well, the old baby furniture or the unused treadmill generally do not have any tax consequences. In these cases, the amounts you receive for these items are generally less than what you paid for them so there’s no gain on the sale. The most you get out of the sale is cash to buy more junk and a little more space in your garage. And that, my friend, is not taxable!

If the items you are unloading are considered an antique or collectible item, then a different set of rules are applicable. In this case, you generally will receive more for the item than what you paid for it, creating a gain on the sale. The tax treatment on this sale will depend on whether or not you’ve had the items for a year or more. The general rule of having the item for less than a year deems it as a short-term gain and is taxed at your ordinary income rate. However, if you’ve had the item for a year or more, then it’s considered a long-term gain and you may be eligible for favorable tax rates.

So if you have made any online sales or are considering such sales we will be happy to advise you on the proper handling of your transactions for tax purposes.

© Copyright 2006, By The Book Accounting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Bernadette Johnson-Hairl, MBA, speaker and author is the President of By The Book Accounting. Look for her in the next edition of People You Need to Know. Bernadette has a BS in Accounting and completed her MBA at the Keller Graduate School of Management. She is also a certified QuickBooks training specialist. Because she enjoys teaching, she is also a part-time Adjunct Accounting professor.

Recently, I came across a blog article about how social media marketing can recession-proof your business. Interesting, I thought. All I have to do is join the social media bandwagon and my business will be sure to grow despite the economical issues surrounding all other businesses on the planet. Well, I just had to read further.

If you had told me a few months ago that I would be stuck on Twitter, I would have told you that you were definitely reading me wrong. But over the past few weeks, I’ve really been enjoying this micro-blogging service and its benefits. Yes, I’m a Twitter Fan.

So who's responsible for my new micro-blogging adventure? The credit goes to @AYellowHouse. I was very hesitant about joining, but Dori convinced me to jump in and give it a try. So…a couple of months later, I gathered up the courage to take the plunge and I’ve become a better person because of it. The people who have helped me grow are too numerous to mention and I'm very thankful for each and every one of them.

One of my favorite benefits is the fact that you can talk in real-time to anyone in the world. From authors, CEOs, activists, musicians, graphic designers, you name the profession, there’s someone you can talk to 24 hours a day and seek advice.

Another great benefit it offers is that it actually helps you with your writing skills. You’ve got to be clear about what you’re writing since you only have 140 characters to get your message across. I don’t have a big problem with that because I’m not a big talker so that part was rather easy.

To help us become more comfortable with Twitter, Corvida Raven (@corvida), was gracious enough to be our guest on Spark Plug Radio. She gave us the goods on Twitter basics. Her interview basically answered the question…What’s the Big Deal About Twitter? After her interview, it didn’t seem so overwhelming but a very simple concept indeed.

To me, Twitter is similar to a Lego brick. It starts out very simple. However, if you keep building and building, connecting and connecting, you just never know what’s possible, but it helps to have a plan. So far, I’ve been pleased with the rewards I’ve received from my experience. Keep in mind, if you’re self-centered, only wanting to push your own agenda, you’ll get turned off very quickly because it’s all about sharing in the community.

Feel free to follow us on Twitter. If you haven’t joined, at least give it a try. Have fun!

~ Jacqueline

Even though we are literally wrapped up in the age of emails, blogs, video conferencing, streaming videos, podcasts, Twitter, Facebook, etc., there are still throngs of people who prefer basic face-to-face marketing or networking instead of online social networks.

For instance, your initial business contact with Spark Plug, publisher of People You Need to Know, would probably never be through an online social network, but on the phone or face-to-face. He prefers the old school way of communicating. He says it helps him get to the heart of the matter more quickly when it comes to doing business.

On the other hand, I'm ashamed to admit that I'm addicted to Twitter. Though I enjoy events, meeting face-to-face to do business is a last resort because I believe I can do everything I need to do online. So, considering the various habits and social preferences of people, there is still a large audience looking to meet primarily at Expos, conventions and other events. The spirit at these face-to-face gatherings is inspirational, uplifting and motivational, but more than anything else, the opportunities are endless.

As a matter of fact, we use face-to-face marketing frequently to promote the people in our network and to distribute our publications. We probably participate in events throughout each year totaling more than 1 million people in attendance. We have a chance to further strengthen the brand of our clients, give people a chance to ask questions, look into their eyes or invite them under the People You Need to Know tent for a chat.

Benefits of Face-to-Face Marketing:

• Meeting people who can use your product or service
• Generate new clients or get referrals
• It gives your business more credibility
• Become more than a voice, business card, flyer in the mail or Tweet
• A chance to really show just how professional your product is to those who are not familiar with it
• Distribute new and updated information via one-pagers, brochures, product samples, etc.
• Collect business cards from potential clients to contact after the event
• Run into old friends you haven’t seen in years because you’ve been too busy working
• And if you’re lucky, you can get your product photographed and placed in the local newspaper for even greater exposure or better yet, online!

I hope you consider doing more face-to-face marketing or networking. The experience can be priceless and the opportunities are endless. In addition, it will give you a chance to get out of the office and breathe some fresh air.

When Facebook first came online back in 2004, I viewed it, as I know many other people did, as a personal communication site for the college age demographic. I remember my daughter telling me about being “face-booked” by a childhood friend who had moved away, or a former classmate who had gone to college in another state.

Due to their high accessibility and relative ease of use, more people began to utilize internet based sites to form relationships, not only for personal, but for political and business use as well. A shift was created in how people were locating, reading and sharing news, information and content. This union of sociology and technology has become known as social media. Facebook, one such social media site, has kept pace with and emerged as a global giant in this changing trend.

Facebook is free for individuals and businesses to join. The individual user sets up a “Profile” where they can share information about themselves, become “Friends” with other users, and there is even a chat feature for real-time communication. Each time a friend posts their status, new pictures, or an item of interest, it is visible to you through the news feed function.

Businesses can set up a Facebook “Page” which is publicly available and accessible for indexing by search engines. Businesses invite individuals to become a “Fan” of their page, and benefit from viral growth through the fan’s recommendation of the business to other friends. Through the news feed, businesses can push information out to their fan base. Any individual that is a friend of that fan, can also see the information the business distributes.

Other ways to form relationships and promote your business on Facebook include:

• Joining Networks which are based around a region, workplace or school;
• Joining or creating Groups relative to your industry or niche;
• Utilizing the Events application to broadcast an upcoming event or gathering;
• Creating your own fun Application that friends and fans can interact with, sponsored by your company;
• Purchasing targeted ads based on CPC or CPM basis (cost per clicks or impressions).

Like many, I originally joined Facebook to make connections with friends, past and present. I recently attended a cook out hosted by an old chum from my middle school days, and his wife. I had not seen them in 30 years! They are the people, along with another friend who I also reconnected with through Facebook, that you see with me in the picture featured at the top of this post.

I have also made many new friends by connecting with people who have similar interests or are looking to network or cross promote. You simply cannot place a value on the importance of this type of social interaction, both personally and professionally. People want to be known and appreciated, and tend do business with people they trust.

Companies worldwide are leveraging the power of social media sites to improve customer relationships, create interaction, and increase brand awareness. Skittles and Zappos.com are two examples of companies who use their Facebook pages to actively engage with consumers. By making it a more personal experience for the user instead of an outward marketing ploy, Skittles and Zappos have earned priceless credibility and gained a very loyal fan/customer base.

Regardless of a company’s size, product or service, creating or enhancing their online presence through social media should be an important component of their overall marketing strategy. With resounding statistics, such as the ones below, it is easy to see why Facebook has become an integral part of social media marketing campaigns for businesses large and small alike:

• More than 100 million users log on to Facebook each day;
• The fastest growing user demographic is those 35 years of age and older;
• More than 6 million users become fans of Pages each day;
• More than 1 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared each week;
• More than 30 million active user groups exist on the site;
• More than 50 international translations available on the site, with more than 40 in development;
• More than 30 million users currently access Facebook through their mobile devices; *

Creative Options Social Media Management specializes in assisting individuals and small to mid-size business owners with profile and content creation, distribution, optimization, campaign and reputation management services.

Do you know how some people nag their spouse to get something done? It may seem like a good idea to the nagger since it gets results. However, this is a short-term solution can cause long-term problems in a marriage. Read on to discover seven ways nagging can damage your relationship.

The Nagger and the "Nagee"

We all know how nagging works. One person (the nagger) bugs the other person (the “naggee”) to do something. The “naggee” does not want to do this, but he/she eventually does it just to get the nagger off his/her back.

For the nagger, this seems like a good solution. After all, they got their way. However, the foundation of your marriage can be damaged if this happens frequently.

These Problems are Caused by “N.A.G.G.I.N.G.”

N: Nuisance You are a nuisance whenever you nag your mate. It is like the pesky mosquito that keeps buzzing around and will not leave you alone. It is very annoying. Is that the type of relationship that you want to have with your mate?

A: Anger and Resentment Frequent nagging can lead to anything from irritation to fury in your spouse. Over time, this leads to walls of resentment in your marriage.

G: Grow Apart from Each Other Your spouse may start avoiding you if you continue to nag them. This can create an emotional distance between the two of you.

G: Goes Where the Grass Looks Greener If constant nagging drives a wedge between you, then your spouse may become discontent with your marriage. It could even drive him/her into the arms of someone else.

I: Is Inconsiderate Nagging is a form of manipulation. You try to control your spouse’s behavior through constant complaining. It shows a lack of respect for their desires and feelings. Essentially you are demonstrating that your desires are more important than their desires.

N: Not Conducive to a Partnership Nagging is one-sided. Your partner only complies with your demands out of frustration and not based on an agreement between both of you.

G: Gets You Short-Term Results, But Long-Term Problems Is getting what you want in the short-term worth the problems caused by nagging? Before you start nagging, you might want to consider the long-term consequences. Nagging is just one common mistake that couples make.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurel_Barnet

Listen to the song below to hear Alabama Mike (The Blues Singer) break it all down!

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player

I don't know about you, but I sometimes hop on my little treadmill of life, wrap myself up in some of my miniature problems, and forget how big the world really is.

The beautiful thing about our BIG world is it’s never stagnant, but always flowing with power and unlimited possibilities.

Many times, in order for us to move forward, we’ve got to take a step back and reflect. I often find myself reflecting on my own posts and interestingly, this particular one was posted last June. I thought it was a good idea to freshen it up and re-post it. I hope you find a word or two that makes your day a little more pleasurable.

By the way, if you ever visit Niagara Falls, don't leave without taking an unforgettable ride on the Maid of the Mist. It's truly a breathtaking experience! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~ Jacqueline

I will leave you with a wonderful quote by Susan Polis Shutz. “This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to make your life happy.”

Most of my friends know that I'm still dealing with the loss of my only brother, Robert Lee Thomas, Jr., who made his transition last January.

When I received the news, I was determined not to believe it until I could see the evidence myself. This required my wife and me to fly all the way over to Dubai to see for ourselves. The minute I saw his passport and photo that listed him as a foreign national, a heaviness set in, which I'm still coping with today.

This has been one of the most difficult periods in my life because we were very close. I miss receiving my brother's phone calls four or five times a day (sometimes more) from Savannah. Even when he was traveling around the world, I'd still hear from him whether he was in Greece, somewhere in Africa or the South of France.

Many years ago, my brother believed in my dream enough to loan me the money to start my publishing business and yes, I paid my brother back. For some reason, people always want to know the answer to the question regarding whether or not I gave him his money back. I dedicated my 2009 publication to him.

Anyway, on one of those days when I was feeling especially low, I came across my book, Grow Through It & Lead, which I'd written to encourage others and it became my own inspiration.

With the help of my beautiful and talented wife, I'm expanding my borders. Jacqueline, thanks so much! Now, I've started a new Podcast, I have a new Twitter page and a new Radio Show called, Grow Through It & Lead. I'm already lining up a couple of new guests who have some amazing stories to tell about their journey.

So. . . if you're dealing with some issues that are weighing you down, try to figure out how to turn it inside out and look for the sunny side. There's always a sunny side.

Challenges will come when you try to succeed, but just remember, (even though the situation may seem insurmountable) you can always Grow Through It & Lead!

~ Spark Plug

Genetically, a person who comes from a family where most have lived to old age is also likely to enjoy longevity. This genetic heritage can also determine the aspects of good health such as a healthy heart, healthy brain, good circulation, good eyesight and hearing.

Even people who do not come from a heritage of longevity can live to old age if they look after themselves and avoid the risk factors that cause poor physical and mental health, thus accelerating the aging process. Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking in moderation, cutting out smoking, and following safe practices can all help to increase potential life span.

As we age, there are certain processes which cannot be avoided. This is particularly so of cell aging. As our body cells age, we are more likely to contract certain conditions because of the decline in strength and resistance to infection. Our bodies also begin to show signs of ‘wear and tear’. The skin loses its elasticity, thus resulting in the wrinkling we associate with old age.

As our body’s cells wear out, they are replaced by a process of cell division. The only cells which don’t replicate are those in the brain which cease to divide after birth.

It has been a philosophy that if you look after your body, particularly your body cells, then anti-aging should be smooth sailing. How? By nutrition - a balanced diet with associated exercise. The right and optimum balance of antioxidants and minerals daily is a great start.

Anti-aging health shouldn’t be something you decide is a good idea when it’s too late. Your body cells are constantly bombarded by those little attack armies called free radicals and if left unchecked, without the daily optimum replenishment of antioxidants and minerals, over time, they will kick-start a degeneration process that more often than not, can’t be reversed.

The good news is that this process usually occurs over an extended period of time. Antioxidants, like little body commandos, will seek out these free radicals and neutralize them. But, you need to keep them coming on a daily basis.

Healthy body cells means you are one step ahead of the anti-aging health game. So set the pace, and make sure you don’t slip back and become another aging statistic.

Contributing Writer: Dr. Nedra Dodds - a member of the People You Need to Know Network, top anti-aging physician in metro Atlanta, and president of Opulence Aesthetic Medicine. You can listen to Dr. Nedra Dodds' Destined for Greatness interview below.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player

Charles E. Johnson is the Founder of the Spirit of Sweet Auburn and the Executive Producer of the Sweet Auburn Springfest - The Big Show Tour.

Mr. Johnson has a passion for Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue that began when he moved to the city in 1984 from Philadelphia. He didn’t know anything about Auburn Avenue or its “great history” at the time, he says, and walking the street was his introduction to the community.

“It’s been a love affair ever since,” says the founder of the Spirit of Sweet Auburn (formerly the Friends of Sweet Auburn). In the late 1980s, Johnson participated in the Sweet Auburn Festival as a vendor and in later years became involved in Sweet Auburn’s business association. In 1993, he spearheaded the production of the festival, he says, and has done it ever since.

Today his voice is vibrant while detailing Auburn’s expansions, developments and happenings on what he calls “the greatest street on the planet.” “We want to promote the spirit that makes Auburn Avenue great. It’s a universal spirit,” says the Stone Mountain resident. "The same spirit that the people of South Africa had to fight apartheid. . .that’s the spirit of Sweet Auburn. That’s what makes the spirit great. That’s why 350,000 to 500,000 people come to the Sweet Auburn Festival."

“When I originally took over the festival, to some extent, it was a big flea market, says Johnson. What we’ve done over the years, we’ve developed various venues of the festival that include arts and literature, business and technology, a Dream Home Showcase, International Film Festival, Just For Women Expo, Car and Bike Show, the Fantastic Family Fun Zone, and last but not least, the Health and Fitness Fair. We want people to come to the festival to discover new stuff. We want them to see what folks are achieving. Those who come to the festival also have an opportunity to rediscover Auburn Avenue."

“When I speak of Sweet Auburn, I’m not just speaking of Auburn Avenue, I’m speaking of Edgewood, JW Dobbs, Jesse Hill Jr., the community, Johnson says. And if you look on Edgewood, you’ll see there are a lot of new exciting businesses opening: young Black visionaries, entrepreneurs are opening businesses. And that is what we celebrate."

“What’s great about the district is all of the major institutions have remained here, and they’re the ones who are supporting the resurgence of Sweet Auburn. Developments include the SCLC new National Headquarters; First Choice Credit Union Building; the restored Odd Fellows Buildings; Big Bethel AME, along with the Integral Group, an African American developer building Renaissance Walk; Wheat Street Baptist Church is planning major development; Butler CME; developing the Edge Lofts on Edgewood Avenue; First Congregational; the Historic District Development Corporation; Ebenezer Baptist Church; Butler Street Y; Prince Hall Masons also have projects in the works. These institutions are the ones that have maintained the street and are leading the redevelopment of the district. There is also great anticipation of the APEX Museum’s Phase 2, a $65 million plus Epcot type exhibit of the African American Panoramic Experience.”

"It’s wonderful when you can do something that you love to do and it’s successful. It’s a great satisfaction. It’s not a job," he explains. "When you see people are pleased and people come out to the festival and the businesses on the street prosper, the vendors make money and the artists who entertain are discovered, that’s fantastic."

"More important is that people rediscover Auburn Avenue and see it as a destination, a place to live, shop, dine, work, play and worship.” Johnson’s vision is to expand the festival to include Lucky Street (NW Auburn Avenue) and extend activities to Centennial Olympic Park, encompassing all of downtown, making the Sweet Auburn Springfest one of the largest street festivals in the world.

Complete information about the Sweet Auburn District may be found at www.sweetauburn.com.

Today is the anniversary of this blog. I am very proud of my accomplishment. One year ago, I set out to give the people in my network some additional exposure for their business. I have succeeded. After all, everything is about business. It may be wrapped in different types of intangible garments, but still about business.

I've been entertaining the idea of starting a personal blog, but I don't think it will happen soon. I already spend way too much time pounding on my keyboard. Also, with warmer weather fast approaching, I'll probably be riding my bike more and hiking in the mountains more. There'll be less time for blogging, but I promise to do my best to keep this particular space updated.

Once upon a time, technology boasted that it would speed up the way we do things so we could have more time for the people and things we love. To date, I seem to have less time to do the things I'd rather be doing. So, as I move forward, I'm promising myself to take more control of my time and honor my own existence more. It's time for me to be a little selfish...yes.

The people I'd like to thank who have given me so much inspiration over the past year are too many to name. I've enjoyed photos, tennis, and poetry - videos, recipes, a few rants, and jokes. But most of all, I've enjoyed making friends with people around the world. Thanks for extending your hand of friendship. Your blog visits and emails are always welcomed and appreciated.

How shall I celebrate? At the moment, I'm not quite sure. Maybe I'll go out and find a cupcake that matches the stock photo. Cheers to me.

- Jacqueline

A poll of 3,000 Americans found that for 41 percent, the thing they're most afraid of is speaking before a group of people. Of all the topics in the world of knowledge, I decided to do my very first seminar on Overcoming Your Fears. Though it was many years ago, it still seems like yesterday.

My fiancée at the time, who is now my wife, told me not to try and memorize my speech word-for-word because I might get on stage and forget what I was supposed to say. Well, like most men, I didn't listen.

I quickly replied, “I can do it, I’ll do just fine.”

She simply said, “OK.”

On the evening of the seminar, after my award-winning introduction, I dashed onto the stage. I was ready to dazzle the audience with my power-packed presentation. Suddenly, my mind went on vacation without my approval and all I could see were bright lights shining in my face. Beyond the blinding lights, there was only a sea of darkness behind the first couple of rows in the huge auditorium. I couldn’t remember my name, let alone my speech, which I thought I had carefully folded and tucked away in my mind.

I moaned to myself, “Surely this can't be happening to me. I know this speech like the back of my hand!”

Everything was a blur. Sweat was rolling down my forehead like raindrops on a windshield. My heart was literally beating like the hooves of horses on hot dry pavement. (Thumpety, thumpety, thump.) Embarrassment was flowing out of my soul like a mighty stream. I started to look around hoping I'd find Jacqueline so I could get a glimpse of someone familiar or maybe uncover a shred of hope by seeing her beautiful face, but the lights were too bright on the stage.

I tried to present my speech just as I had done countless times before, at home, in the car, in the checkout line, the mirror, etc. It would not come forth! My mouth was dry and I desperately wanted to crawl off the platform and run for cover. The wrath of dead silence in the auditorium was tormenting me and I could literally feel a multitude of glistening eyes glaring at me through the darkness.

I was considering the idea of obeying the thundering voice in my head that bellowed, “Get off the stage, just walk off…you’re making a complete fool of yourself…who do you think you are anyway?” Luckily, in the same moment that I was about to give up, ever so slowly, the information began to sneak back into my mind.

Evidently, I must have done a great job of keeping the audience entertained.

After the speech, people came up and thanked me for what they said was an outstanding presentation. Surprisingly, a year later, a young lady called me to get what she described as some ‘very useful’ information, which I had shared that unforgettable night. I'm glad I decided to open my mouth because it has brought me many rewards since then.

So…to those of you who are afraid to speak in public, the more you do it, the easier it will become. The best advice I can give anyone is to just do it!

- Spark Plug

Once again, the holiday season is upon us. Though this can be a very exciting time, it is also a very vulnerable time for everyone. As you go shopping and traveling to spend time with family and friends, remember to practice safety.

Neglecting to wear seat belts, drinking and driving, driving over the speed limit, and interpersonal violence because of too much alcohol are all simple things which occur that can ultimately change lives forever.

I have experienced a major trauma in my own family, and I know firsthand about the emotional and financial burden it can place on everyone. I guess that's why I'm committed to reminding people to do all they can to stay safe.

I always like to stress safety by sharing an interview granted to us by Dr. Mark Walker, Director of Surgical Health Collective, in metro Atlanta. Unfortunately, Dr. Walker has seen numerous major injuries during his career, which simply could have been avoided. So this holiday season, please practice safety for those you love, your fellow human beings, and above all else, practice it for yourself.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player

Like every great story, the People You Need to Know story has very humble beginnings.

Many years ago - 1993 to be precise - Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas, started a business publication in Atlanta, Georgia, called the African-American Business Locator. Fueled only by his passion and a $3,000 loan from his late brother, Robert Lee Thomas, Jr. (1961-2008), Spark Plug’s dream of providing small businesses with affordable advertising began.

His first publishing endeavor was a tiny, black and white, digest-sized publication that included paid business listings. Always the creative businessman, Spark Plug was constantly looking for new avenues to help his customers generate more business. Before long, word started to spread around metro Atlanta about this ingenious young man who worked so hard to help his clients get new customers.

In 2000, the publication was renamed People You Need to Know because Spark Plug believed everyone needed to get to know a local dentist, physician, attorney, realtor, etc. Also in 2000, he decided to give full-page ads to every advertiser so they could all receive the best possible exposure at an affordable price.

In 2007, People You Need to Know on Spark Plug Radio was launched online and the show quickly became a favorite in the metro Atlanta business community. The radio show also has listeners around the country and the world. Podbean.com reports that the People You Need to Know Radio Show interviews are being downloaded in more than 35 countries.

In 2008, People You Need to Know formed a partnership with the Atlanta History Center to archive and preserve their Destined for Greatness radio interview series for present and future generations of researchers.

Today, People You Need to Know is metro Atlanta’s premiere business spotlight publication with an annual circulation of more than 500,000. It is distributed by the nation’s largest distributor of free publications and is available at Kroger, Publix, Blockbuster, Sears, Kmart, Bally’s Fitness Centers and online. More important, the publication is the engine that drives all marketing and publicity opportunities the company offers its clients.

People You Need to Know in print, on radio, via podcast, iTunes and on the web works to make life a little easier for anyone searching for quality business people in the metro Atlanta area.

In 2009, People You Need to Know will continue to participate in metro Atlanta’s major trade shows, business expos, health fairs, festivals and shopping mall events.

People You Need to Know, Inc. “works hard to help people find your business.”