The world of academia can be fiercely competitive, whether you’re vying for a coveted tenured position, a speaking opportunity at a major conference or a research grant, but one way to stand out from your colleagues and peers is with PR.

Our digitally interconnected global society has heightened the awareness of aspirational destinations all around the world from bustling metropolises to far off remote regions. From social media influencers churning out picture perfect content to travel journalists sharing hidden gems and trends, there is an abundance of inspiration to be found. 

PR is an excellent tool to build brand reputation, customer awareness and trust but it’s one that is often neglected among skilled tradespeople. One of many reasons why PR should be a part of a tradesperson’s marketing tool kits is that too many people - myself included - have experienced a situation where the contracted worker doesn’t show up, the job goes horribly wrong, or you simply don’t know who to call, the list goes on and on. The result is wary clients looking for someone they can really trust to get the job done well.

As a business coach you help build successful enterprises. You are the unsung hero behind the scenes who is building the strategy and equipping your clients with the tools to execute it.  It’s a career path that focuses a lot of time and energy on guiding others towards attaining their goals. It’s no surprise that when your focus is on helping other people, it can be way too easy to put off promoting your own business. 

Launching any new business is a challenging endeavour, but food and beverage is one of the toughest industries to successfully launch and sustain a business. The bar and restaurant scene is fiercely competitive anywhere you go, and especially in big cities, making it doubly important to stand out from your competitors.

As you know by now, my best friend Alison passed away in 2015 from cervical cancer. To date, it’s the blurriest time in my life. It feels like those last few months - when I really clued into what was happening – were all about making memories. I remember visiting her in the hospital and not wanting to leave even though she looked so tired. Her family didn’t have the heart to suggest I go so she could rest. I hope that’s because they saw the love I had for her. I simply couldn’t think about a world without her. 

If you're like me, you've probably been consumed by the news. No matter where you turn there is always major breaking news - look at the Middle East, Ukraine, Armenia and even in our own backyards. There is so much information, let alone misinformation, it can be hard to know what is factual. So, now seemed like a good time to talk about how to fact check the news so you can make your own decisions about what you’re reading.

Balancing all the things you need to do as a small business is tough. As a business owner and a mom, I get it. Trying to do it all, while having a busy home and any kind of social life takes work. Social media is just one of the many tasks on the to do list.

On the very first day at Geneva Centre for Autism, I was waiting with my son Christos in the lobby with a bunch of kids and nervous parents. He had been assigned someone for the first part of the day and I was patiently waiting for his morning therapist to find me. From behind me, I heard someone say, “Hi Christos,” I turned and saw a man. He said “I’m Jason and I’ll be with Christos this afternoon.” I immediately felt at ease. He had such a warm demeanor.

An opinion editorial (or Op-ed) is a timely and educated opinion written by a subject matter expert in response to a current major news story or issue. Op-eds are coveted by businesses and professionals alike because they have a reputation of prestige and are considered the ultimate representation of expertise.