Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development Series

In Strategies for Successful Networking the featured experts emphasize the value of keeping up with your daily networking activities. This includes interacting regularly with professionals in and outside of your industry, maintaining a strong Web presence and utilizing several online social media tools. When it comes to successful networking, your appearance – as in what you wear and how you carry yourself – can serve as the perfect conversation starter because, you never know what professional opportunities lie ahead. Chris MacAskill of SmugMug leads by example.

Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development Series

The Business Financing: Tips to Transform Your Ideas into Reality video cuts to the chase with a valid insight: financing for your company or bright idea begins with a solid, detailed business plan. From there, funding your venture becomes a constant process of setting realistic goals, monitoring your cash flow and redirecting your strategy at a moment’s notice. Two passionate and successful business owners, Warren Brown of Cake Love and Lon McGowan of iClick, have each learned first-hand the challenges of establishing their own companies; they offer valid advice on how to ignite your entrepreneurial fire.

Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development Series

Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development Series

Proven Sales Techniques contains important information about effective sales tactics, and it also bestows relevant tips on how to handle yourself as a professional. Learn from some of the most successful salespeople in the game – many of them have faced failure in their careers, but have used such experiences to sharpen their skills rather than accept defeat. Mary Delaney, an executive at CareerBuilder.com, shines as a beacon of inspiration in this episode, detailing her 12-step plan to get potential clients on the phone. The segment concludes with a list describing the “Top 10 Characteristics of a Successful Salesperson.”

Claire Power Murphy’s Biography

“It will be very great when humanity is improving every single year of their lives,” proclaims Claire Power Murphy, director of The Self-Rejuvenation Center, Inc. The healer, teacher and adviser has lived an illustrious life, seeing herself and her family healed despite unfortunate circumstances.

Ms. Murphy has custom-created simple, yet effective recipes that can help people achieve equilibrium. Her approach is based on the tenet that we are formed of this earth, which has 12 basic minerals that are supposed to be in balance. Due to our overuse of soil through farming, this delicate balance has become unhinged. Ms. Murphy offers a “delicious, progressive” alternative for her clients, which can reduce health expenditures (such as doctor visits) while achieving maximum results.

An interest in healthy habits and teaching others prompted Ms. Murphy to become involved in her profession. She is the author of “Preserved to Serve,” a book detailing the adversities she overcame before adopting a healthy, spiritual lifestyle. The story begins with her account of her first 25 years of life, which was plagued with illness. It continues with her encounters with a sickly husband and two sickly children. After losing custody of her daughter to the state, Ms. Murphy challenged the court system for four months before reuniting with her. She went on to help her daughter recover from the symptoms of cerebral palsy.

Through it all, Ms. Murphy forged a healthy lifestyle and became a shining beacon of hope for those in search of holistic healing. What sets Ms. Murphy apart from others is her ability to identify with people’s suffering and struggles because in most cases, she feels she has been there herself. “There’s a compassionate link,” she says, “so they receive the psychological support in addition to the physical.” Clients are also drawn by her resiliency, enthusiasm, strength and courage.

Ms. Murphy received a master’s degree in elementary education in 1966 and a bachelor’s degree in history with minors in elementary education and psychology in 1963. In 2004, she received certification in Hydrotherapy, Home Remedies and Grief Therapy from NAD Health Ministries and in 1974 she received Certification in Administration and Supervision from Richmond College. She is a member of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, a Chairman’s Circle Member of The Oxford Club, a Lifetime Member of The Sovereign Society, a Lifetime Member of the American Federation of Teachers, and a member of the United Federation of Teachers, AARP and Seed-Savers Exchange.

In five years, Ms. Murphy will be offering counseling services to health organizations and insurance companies, and will serve as a motivational speaker. To find out more information, please visit the Self-Rejuvenation Center, Inc. Website, Claire Power Murphy’s Cambridge Who’s Who Connect Website and her Cambridge Who’s Who Profile; you may also view her recent Cambridge Who’s Who News Release highlighting her career, accomplishments and endeavors.

Cambridge Who’s Who Resource Center Article(s) by Claire Power Murphy

• Grow Yourself As You Grow Your Business New!
  

By Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Claire Power Murphy

Cambridge Who’s Who Industry Expert Claire Power Murphy

Much has been said about the importance of proper branding, marketing, networking, financing, motivation, sales, expertise and technology use. There are many resources available to support your business, especially here at Cambridge Who’s Who.

You learn and attempt to apply all the techniques and your business grows along with the oft-accompanying stress. Or the business does not grow. In either case the KEY factor is you!

The time has come to add a new component to growing a healthy business and that is you! Do you grow regardless of circumstances?

Have you noticed the acceleration of new knowledge with which you must keep abreast? Have you experienced the fast pace and increase in competition? If you wish to ‘keep up’ and even excel, it is time to examine the degree of flexibility with which you flow with the times.

Much more than you realize has to do with the condition of your own body and its ability to adapt. Is your circulation of ‘life-giving’ blood flowing freely? Is your chemistry balanced so you can maintain a level head while incorporating increasing numbers of people and new ideas into your business?

You pay much attention to the quality of fuel for your automobile. Are you fueling yourself with the highest quality fuel (nutrition) to attain the maximum energy to keep ‘ahead of the curve’?

Self-improvement IS the key element which will make a difference for you, your loved ones, society, AND your business!

Claire Power Murphy,
Cambridge Who’s Who Top Industry Expert:
Health, Wellness, and Nutrition!
www.selfrej.com

Claire Power Murphy is a Cambridge Who’s Who Top Industry Expert on health, wellness and nutrition.  To learn more about Claire’s area of expertise and service, please visit www.cambridgewhoswhoconnect. Here you can learn all you care to know about Claire, her esteemed colleagues and more in an interactive and informative format.

Brought to you by Nationwide Insurance®

These days, you can store practically all of your computer information on your cell phone – from your entire music collection to the latest dog-riding-a-skateboard video. But did you know you can also use your mobile device as a safety net in case of emergency? Take five minutes right now to tap these important numbers into your contact list so you’ll be prepared if assistance is needed.

I.C.E. This number, which stands for “in case of emergency,” should be your emergency contact – a parent, spouse, close friend or whomever you want notified if something happens to you. Many emergency responders and hospital personnel know to look for this number.

Home. Your home phone number. If someone finds your lost cell phone, he or she can call this number to let you know that the device is intact. Emergency personnel may also try it as an alternative if there is no answer at the I.C.E. number.

Police. Keeping this number stored in your phone will help you notify the local police station more rapidly in case you have an emergency or witness someone else who needs help.

State highway patrol. See a motorist stranded by the side of the road? Be a Good Samaritan and call the state highway patrol for assistance.

Insurance company. If you are in an accident, you should notify your insurance company right away and get roadside assistance or towing help if you need it. (Nationwide’s toll-free number for claims is 1-800-421-3535.)

Your motor club. Membership in an auto club can get you out of a jam. Store their 800 number in your cell phone in case you lock your keys inside the car or get a flat tire.

A word about 911 and cell phones. While GPS tracking technology continues to improve, many wireless phones still do not offer a way to determine a caller’s location. If you call 911 in an emergency, be sure to mention in detail your location, your phone number and what has happened.

Because you’re a valued member of Cambridge’s Who’s Who, you may be eligible for special rates on Nationwide® auto insurance. Call today for a free, no-obligation quote. Find out how much you could save!

Ask us for a quote!

In NY, CT or PA call: Grillo & Associates
Ask for Alyssa or Danielle
1-800-772-0627

All other States call: Nationwide Insurance®
1-866-556-SAVE (7283)

By Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Jenny MacKay

In tough economic times, streamlining a business is a cruel necessity. This could mean carving out departments and letting employees go, which often places new burdens on the remaining staff as essential projects get shuffled elsewhere. The result could be an overworked and disgruntled workforce where creativity and enthusiasm are squelched under the weight of the daily grind.

Freelance help could remedy this situation. In many industries, freelancers have always been a mainstay to doing business. But when layoff rates are high, talented and skilled professionals in every industry can find themselves in a position to become self-employed. There is no time like the present to tap into this freelance pool to supplement and enhance your operations.

What Is a Freelance Worker and Why Hire One?

Freelancers are self-employed individuals who provide services on a per-project basis. They work as independent contractors and, traditionally, have been most common in creative industries such as writing and photography. These days, freelancers abound in other occupations, too – web design, computer programming and graphic art are a few fields that have become freelance dominated in recent years.

The benefits of hiring freelancers are numerous. As a freelancer’s client, you pay only for the specific job you need done and are not responsible for benefits, Social Security, Medicare or workers’ comp. Freelancers usually own their equipment and software and work remotely, eliminating your need to provide office space and the technology needed to complete an assignment. A freelancer becomes a satellite employee for the duration of a project. It can be a very flexible and convenient relationship.

Another benefit of hiring freelancers is their enthusiasm. They typically work hard to please their clients and hold themselves accountable for the quality and timeliness of their work. As specialists in their fields, freelancers can also bring in new vision and expertise.

Will My Company Benefit from Freelance Help?

Almost any industry could potentially benefit from relinquishing tasks to freelancers. If you recently have had to downsize your business, it may be worthwhile to consider freelance help to fill in the gaps. If you have been putting off a project or company goal because you feel that there is no one on your staff who has the time or experience; and you do not have the resources to hire a regular employee, a freelancer may be a very good option.

Ask colleagues, fellow business owners and your own staff for suggestions of people who may be interested in a freelance opportunity with your company. If you recently had to lay off someone or may do so in the near future, this individual may be amenable to a freelance relationship. You can also search for freelancers through the same channels you would use to fill any new position in your company. Just be sure to mention that this will be a contract job.

Hiring Freelancers

Professional freelancers should be able to provide references of current and former clients. Also, ask to see portfolios or samples of their work, or ask if they will take tests that demonstrate their skills (freelance editors, proofreaders and transcriptionists expect such tests as a reasonable part of a client’s consideration process).

Once you have chosen a freelancer, you will need to negotiate a contract that outlines the specific job duties, payment (hourly or flat fee), job duration and quality parameters. Confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-compete clauses are other protections often written into a contract to prohibit freelancers from revealing company data or taking business away from the company. It is wise to seek legal counsel when drawing up and negotiating a freelance contract. This will eliminate many of the concerns and uncertainties employers often have about hiring freelancers.

Freelancers and businesses can form mutually beneficial relationships, and the advent of telecommuting technology makes this a more viable option than ever before. If you are a business owner, now may be the time to consider working with freelancers.

Jenny MacKay’s Biography

Cambridge Who’s Who member Jenny MacKay is a full-time freelance writer, editor and book production coordinator. Her expertise is in – but not limited to – creative writing and copyediting of science, technical, medical and social science journals with proficiency in AP, APA, Chicago, MLA, CSE and AMA styles. Ms. MacKay also specializes in creating content for academic, scientific, educational and fiction publications. Her contributions have appeared in books, scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers.

In 2000, Ms. MacKay received a bachelor of arts in English education from the University of Nevada. A stay-at-home mother of two, she pursued an occupation in freelance writing while her children were still young. Her career flourished, as she authored numerous articles for magazines and various clients on a national scale. A love for her profession and the flexibility it affords has enabled Ms. MacKay to excel in her industry. She has worked for several leading publishing companies including Sage Publications, Cengage Learning, Linworth Publishing and Gannett.

Ever since she can remember, she has maintained a longstanding interest in children’s literature. In recent years, she became a frequent contributor to Lucent Books, which publishes nonfiction page-turners aimed at educating high school students. She has authored seven enriching titles for the company, including “Criminal Profiling” (Crime Scene Investigations), “Fingerprints and Impression Evidence” (Crime Scene Investigations), “Phobias” (Diseases and Disorders) and “Amnesia” (Diseases and Disorders).

Presently, Ms. MacKay also works as a freelance content and development editor for American Book Publishing. She is a published member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, an organization that caters to creative types (e.g. writers, illustrators, etc.) who work in children’s publishing. Additionally Ms. MacKay is an active member of the Nevada Region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. As a contributing editor for Zephyr – their quarterly newsletter – she helps pool writers and edits submissions. In her spare time, Ms. MacKay reviews children’s books, writes freelance articles and enjoys cooking. She hopes to teach college level writing classes and publish children’s books in the future.

For more information about Ms. MacKay, please visit her Cambridge Who’s Who Connect Profile: Jenny MacKay. She can be reached at jopm@sbcglobal.net.

Cambridge Who’s Who Resource Center Article(s) by Jenny MacKay

• The Business of Hiring Freelancers New!