Frictionless Banking: The new way to think about the way you bank

No one likes friction; no one likes it when your pant legs stick to your socks.  It’s certainly not something you want between you and your bank. Frictionless Banking means to eliminate the pain points for clients to handle their banking needs, including not having to go into a branch.  It is getting pretty rare

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Planning holiday celebrations during the pandemic

This time last year, our calendars were filled to capacity with holiday parties and year-end celebrations, but things are quite different in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a difficult year for companies, and employees, and it’s important to keep company morale, give back and celebrate a job well done at the

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Tampa Bay Economic Development Council celebrates big wins in challenging year

On October 29, nearly 500 business and community leaders from across Tampa Bay tuned in to a live stream of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council’s virtual annual meeting.   While 2020 was a nail biter of a year, the Tampa Bay EDC still closed 20 new recruitment and business expansion projects—securing 2,650 new jobs and

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Should starting a business be your next career move?

If your career feels stagnant, these signs can help you decide if now’s the time to start a new business.

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Increase your return on investment by communicating through the cloud

By Bill Heinz, vice president and co-owner, PBX-Change Cloud communications technology has been a lifesaver for business during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has helped staff work remotely, stay connected to each other and, most importantly, to customers. Using the Cloud, a business can run powerful applications more efficiently, continuously monitor its activities and keep costs

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Three strategies for evolving communications in chaos

By Marie Chinnici-Everitt is managing director and chief marketing officer overseeing global marketing and corporate communications for DTCC When COVID-19 sent the United States, and other countries around globe, into lockdown in March, the global marketing and communications team at The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) had to manage the flow of information to

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Own Your Worth: Why women need to focus on planning their own financial future

By Mary Lauritano, CFA, Senior Vice President–Wealth Management at UBS Wealth Management USA; St. Petersburg In a recent UBS report of women and wealth, Own Your Worth, the study showed that eight in ten women will, one day, be alone and solely responsible for their financial well-being due to increased life expectancy and divorce. Moreover,

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Community leaders share how they are stronger than stigma

In my new book, “Stronger Than Stigma. A Call to Action: Stories of Grief, Loss, and Inspiration,” I share the connection several leaders in Tampa Bay have to mental illness, grief, loss and addiction. Writing this book, and knowing the amazing people featured in it, has been one of the most impactful experiences of my

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Taking a careful approach to IT

In the world of small business information technology is important and the wrong choice can cost you big, in the long run. IT Managed Services Providers are a dime a dozen. There are probably at least a hundred in Tampa alone. One thing all MSPs have in common is the sales rep. You have seen

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The 5 Ws of transparency: Meeting audience expectations

It should be obvious, at this point, that we live in a time where consumers and audiences expect brands to be transparent. The idea of transparency, and authenticity, for communications, is at the core of establishing and fostering, relationships that keep your business or brand strong. What does being transparent mean and how does it

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Support early learning to achieve long-term economic recovery

Business leaders are ready to return to work. As we adapt to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, and welcome back employees and customers, the place childcare holds in our economy should be top of mind. COVID-19 has brought into clear focus how important childcare and early learning are to the business community.

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The case for an independent cancer care advisor

By Lea Ann Biafora How does one plan and prepare for the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis? Aside from doing your best to live a healthy lifestyle, and retain adequate health insurance, few options exist. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver, the stresses brought on by cancer can overwhelm even the most organized,

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