Stefani Taylor of High Value Agency Shares 3 Simple Steps to Building a Profitable Consulting Business

The coaching and consulting industries are booming.

It is challenging traditional work structures and norms, creating a space for professionals to capitalize upon expertise honed over the course of their careers in new and innovative ways. But, for many professionals, there are additional hurdles for entering and thriving in this space. Luckily, there are tried-and-true methods that can help their burgeoning side-hustles replace their day jobs.

Stefani Taylor is a Business Growth Strategist and CEO of High Value Agency, a results based consultancy that specializes in helping high income professionals transform their knowledge and expertise into profitable online consulting businesses.

“Professionals who have spent years climbing the career ladder not only acquire specialized skills unique to their sector, but also accumulate a wealth of knowledge and talent related to all aspects of their success. It is an erroneous outdated belief that in today’s rapidly shifting economic landscape, with its emerging knowledge-based markets, that degrees and certificates outweigh this real world expertise.” Taylor shares.

When it comes to business, many things go into making it successful. But when it comes to consulting and coaching, one of the most important aspects is finding a way to translate the knowledge you possess as value and tangible results to your customers.

In this article, Taylor shares with us some of the most vital components for starting, launching and scaling a profitable coaching or consulting business that has the ability to replace your current income.

“The very first rule is that your primary goal must be to provide insane value to your clients and the marketplace as a whole. A lot of people rush into this industry because they see the income potential, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that,” Taylor explains. “But it’s essential to understand wealth creation is directly tied to the value you provide. It is literally the means by which wealth is created, so your foremost objective must always be to give the absolutely most value you can to your market. If you do that, it will always come back to you tenfold.”

With the concept of value first understood, Taylor outlines four simple steps for creating high value consulting and coaching offers that consistently sell:

Step One: Know Your Market

The first step is to know your target market. This means understanding your target customers and what they want or need.

“We’re not looking to go surface level here,” Taylor states. “Most people identify their market as being of a certain gender, age group and occupation and stop there. This isn’t what we are looking for. In order to best appeal to and resonate with your market you need to understand what their biggest problems are and how those problems show up and feel in their daily lives. You need to understand their deepest desires and frustrations, what scares them, and what they desperately need from a solution. Then only then can you create products and marketing that speak to those needs.”

Step Two: Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your unique selling proposition is what makes you different from your competitors. It’s what sets you apart and makes you stand out in the minds of your customers. While Taylor shares that your USP can be in your delivery, your guarantee, or even your unique mechanism for getting results, she stresses not to skip this step as it is essential for standing out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Step Three: Create a Compelling Offer

When creating an offer, it’s essential to make sure that it is irresistible. “When the people who have the problem you solve are presented with your solution, it should be an absolute no-brainer for the majority of them,” Taylor points out. “It should create excitement, urgency and a sense that this is exactly what they need to solve their problems, and that excitement should carry them through to the point of purchase.” If your offer can’t generate that level of excitement, you’ll want to keep reframing it and exploring angles until it does.

“With these three pieces in place,” Taylor shares, you are well positioned with a strong offer built for a specific audience in need of your services. By laying this important foundation, you now have all the necessary building blocks to serve clients at the absolute highest levels and create a life changing income for yourself as a result.”

If you’d like help building an irresistible offer that attracts consistent high ticket clients, visit High Value Agency.

Impact of Gym Training On Human Health. Pushpress, a guide.

“The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy.”

– Kenneth H. Cooper

Exercise is known to strengthen people’s hearts and enhance their circulation. It is known to have positive effects on the human body. Even though there are many ways to exercise, gym training has been the most effective exercise method. Founded in 2012 by Dan Uyemura, PushPress is a gym management software that aims to make gym management the easiest aspect of starting a fitness business. 

How Gym Training Benefits People

Gym training has been found to affect people’s health positively. People who participate in regular physical activities can boost their endurance and improve muscle strength. Exercise increases blood flow, raising oxygen levels in the human body. When blood flow increases in the human body, it helps decrease the risk of heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and high cholesterol. 

Apart from lowering the risk of heart diseases, exercise is associated with several other benefits. For instance, exercise delivers nutrients and oxygen to the human tissue and helps the cardiovascular system work better. When one’s lungs and heart improve, one has greater energy to deal with daily challenges. 

Gym Management Apps Helping Fitness Enthusiasts

Displaying a profound understanding of fitness, PushPress has come to hasten the process of starting a fitness business. It is a gym management app that has been created to rebel against overpriced and complicated software and manual paperwork. PushPress is an easy-to-use software that offers excellent services in each of its features and is a trusted sidekick for one’s fitness business.

There are several ways in which people exercise. They can be found going for a jog or walk in the park but could also be seen doing and learning yoga. However, many people prefer to go to gyms for cardio exercises and strength training. PushPress is a complete gym-management system that has come to help people in growing their fitness facilities. This app enables fitness enthusiasts to take payments, manage private and group classes, record attendance, sustain member relationships, and manage leads all from the palm of one’s hand. 

The thing worth noting about PushPress is that it helps the modern-day gym owner solve his problems. Since it is a software platform specifically built for gyms. It helps gym-owners increase their revenue, automate repetitive tasks, gain clarity on metrics, and offer members an extraordinary gym experience. Not only this, but the app also engages gym members and makes sure that its customers are happy with this easy-to-use software. Since PushPress builds long-lasting relationships with its clients, they keep returning to it. The app is a modern solution to problems associated with gyming because it is an easy system for trainers and coaches to manage everything. PushPress is a team that consists of gym owners. It comprises people who have managed, owned, and run fitness gyms and have encountered similar problems. The app displays a profound understanding of what it means to manage fitness businesses successfully. It enables fitness enthusiasts to manage their businesses the right way.

Gym training has been found to influence people’s health positively. It is bound to make one feel better, have more energy, and even live a longer life. Physical activity and regular exercise have a range of health benefits that are difficult to ignore. Following are some of how gym training makes people healthy and happy:

  1. By Controlling Weight

Gym training helps maintain weight loss and helps prevent excess weight gain. By engaging in physical activities in the gym, people can burn calories. 

      2. By Combating Diseases and Health Conditions

Regular exercise helps manage and prevent various health problems such as metabolic syndrome, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. People who exercise daily also improve their cognitive function and decrease their risk of death. 

      3. By Improving Mood

Exercise has been found to improve people’s mood by helping them feel better about themselves and their appearances. The people who go to the gym improve their self-esteem and boost their confidence.

      4. By Boosting Energy

Since exercise delivers nutrients and oxygen to tissues in the human body and enables the cardiovascular system to work better, it boosts energy. When this happens, one has greater energy to deal with daily issues. 

Gym training benefits people in all the ways that have been listed above. PushPress is a gym management software built to assist all kinds of health club studios in creating long-lasting memberships. The app is so successful because it understands the importance of fitness in human life and the impact of gym training on human health.

Diva Starr Provides Timeless and High-Quality Fashion Accessories

Looking good is serious business. Why look “meh” when you can look marvelous with high-quality fashion accessories? Mellodie Powell built Diva Starr on this premise to provide timeless bespoke pieces and apparel.Like so many business founders before her, Mellodie founded Diva Starr because she couldn’t find what she needed already on the market. Most of what she saw didn’t reflect her style and were made of inferior materials. Diva Starr operates with one goal: deliver high-quality fashion accessories not found anywhere else. Mellodie Powell, has put in her blood and sweat to make sure the company runs successfully and at full capacity. Inspired by the sudden change in the world and the adoption of newer ways to work, she was fueled to establish Diva Starr by her desire to stay at home with her daughter while doing work that she enjoys.

The company creates accessories for all purposes and events, including black-tie-based wear, everyday wear, accessories highlighting different sororities and fraternities. Diva Starr has served over 500 customers with high-quality products, and Mellodie looks forward to the 1,000th customers and many thousands more.

Diva Starr thrives solely on the quality of its products, and reviews from customers have not said otherwise. “I believe that my products are unique and of amazing quality,” Mellodie said. “Everything I touch turns into gold, and with the amount of work we have put into Diva Starr, success for the company is within reach,” she added.

Products from Diva Starr are designed for both men and women who want to look good and make bold statements with their fashion accessories. The company hopes to capture men and women between the ages of 20 and 50 years and offer them unique products that they won’t find anywhere else. Creating unique products was part of the founding principles that motivated Mellodie to push through with building the company as numerous times when she wanted fashion accessories, she never got them. The type of products she wanted were never available in the market; thus, she decided to create her own company to make those products.

In five years, Mellodie sees Diva Starr Boutique growing into a big accessories company with locations in different cities. Mellodie also hopes to continue to make fashion-forward items to help her customers stand out with their fashion no matter where they find themselves. As the company has blossomed and thrived since it began operations, it has developed structures to enable easy ordering and delivery. Its entire operation is accessible from the website, and Mellodie works round the clock to make sure there are no downtimes or lags in quality service delivery.

Learn more about Diva Starr on the official website.

Charity Brown Shares Valuable Business Knowledge Through Clarity With Charity

Most people believe that success can be very elusive. However, insightful woman Charity Brown believes that becoming successful is quite easy; all it takes is for someone to harness their strengths and learn how to leverage them. So to help others accomplish this, the inspiring entrepreneur has created Clarity with Charity.

The outstanding individual has extensive experience in accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship of more than 20 years. After many years of success, she felt inspired to impart her learnings and decided to become a business coach. 

She also founded an enterprise that will allow her to accomplish this goal. Clarity with Charity is an organization that focuses on empowering individuals to make their maximum contributions to their communities.

Its primary mission is to help its clients scale their businesses and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to sustain their success. In addition, through its services, it aims to increase sales and profit margins using high-tech financial and media tools.

Under its founder’s leadership and guidance, the company has effectively established itself as an industry authority. She has developed several eLearning programs for Clarity with Charity that have proven to be instrumental in helping businesses grow. In addition, the brand utilizes highly coveted hybrid coaching and consulting techniques. 

On top of its commitment to educating clients, what makes the firm stand out is its dedication to helping entrepreneurs improve from within. It believes that businesses can only thrive when their people thrive, too. 

As a testament to this, the brand provides an excellent nine-step process to help its clientele achieve inner freedom. Furthermore, it provides crucial guidance on how to employ the best mindset and personal mastery techniques.

Because of its unrivaled ability to deliver results, Clarity with Charity has become the go-to option for clients from all walks of life. The remarkable organization has catered to young entrepreneurs, committed CEOs, business owners, coaches, college-aged business students, creators, agency owners, and professional service providers.

Undoubtedly, Charity Brown has created a world-class business GPS. When asked what separates her company from the rest, the amazing woman proudly replied, “Our worldwide reach and willingness to work with clients of all ages makes us an essential resource, and we’re thrilled to add lasting value to our clients’ journeys. When you choose to partner with us, you get allies who know their stuff and care about your success and wellbeing as much as you do. We’ll show you how to succeed while remaining true to your unique personality, values, and passions.”

Aside from creating the impressive organization, Charity Brown also hosts the podcast, Create Clarity with Charity. Through the show, aspiring and struggling entrepreneurs can hear from reliable coaches who can help them understand what it takes to handle life’s journeys while running a business.

Moving forward, Charity Brown aims to continue her advocacy of bringing game-changing transformation to her clients’ mindset, happiness, collaboration, and flow. In addition, she also aims for Clarity with Charity to become the best-in-class learning platform for businesses.

Thank you for reading this article about Charity Brown, please click this link here to leave an honest review about Charity Brown.

 

Kimberly Cloud Pays Success Forward by Providing Career Opportunities to Community

There’s an age-old saying: give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Serial entrepreneur Kimberly Cloud has upheld this idea. With the success of her multiple business ventures, she wants nothing more than to build her community by providing opportunities, especially to the marginalized sector. Kimberly aims to help people from all walks of life and equip them with the necessary skills to feel confident in themselves.

Kimberly Cloud is the visionary mind behind three thriving businesses–Blue Cloud Cleaning Company, Wigs for Success Inc., and Genuinely Michelle Wigs. All three of her business ventures are geared towards building the community and beyond. “I just want to help one person at a time,” Kimberly said. Since opening her businesses, Kimberly has provided opportunities to physically-challenged individuals, people who suffer from mental health, veterans, and many others who may not be someone’s first choice for the workforce. The entrepreneur believes that giving people career opportunities is one of the best forms of empowerment and is a crucial tool to uplift entire communities.

Blue Cloud Cleaning Company is a professional cleaning service business that serves both residential and commercial properties. The services include full office cleaning, mopping, vacuuming, spot cleaning, dusting, COVID-19 disinfection, and so much more. Blue Cloud Cleaning Company is known for its attention to detail. The team is home to many seasoned and passionate cleaners who all proudly carry the company’s mission to provide the most thorough cleaning for their clients.

On the other hand, Wigs for Success Inc. has played a vital role in empowering workers from all races and genders. Kimberly Cloud wanted the business to be a melting pot for people who love to channel their creativity through hair. The charitable organization has provided educational assistance, jobs, and more. Wigs for Success is also continually giving back to its community by hosting various charitable events in Santa Maria, CA.

Asked why she built Wigs for Success Inc., Kimberly Cloud shared that the company is dedicated to helping women and lifting them from poverty. “It’s all about making people feel great about themselves while helping young poverty-stricken women feel empowered and able to take on the world,” shared the entrepreneur. 

Meanwhile, Genuinely Michelle Wigs is temporarily closed as Kimberly Cloud is focusing on creating a new merchandise line for the business. While her new collection is in the works, the entrepreneur shared that Genuinely Michelle Wigs is still serving the community by scouting talents who are looking to learn new techniques in the wig industry and take part in a productive community Kimberly is spearheading.

On top of managing her businesses, Kimberly Cloud is also an ambassador at Allan Hancock College and the Chamber of Commerce in Santa Maria, CA. She is also a producer at the Santa Maria community tv network and the Santa Barbara tv network, where she airs the Kimberly Cloud Show.

Furthermore, Kimberly Cloud announced that she would be hosting an expo for Blue Cloud Cleaning Company to further amplify her business’ mission and provide more jobs for people during the event.

Unrelentlessly doing her share to empower her community, Kimberly Cloud is indeed one to follow. She is setting the bar higher for other entrepreneurs to shift their focus from merely making a profit to building a community where people are given opportunities to dream.

Medical School Personal Statement: Great Hints and Examples

A personal statement is a document that you write in order to apply for a university or college course. You should not be too long and it should not be too short. It should also be well-written and include important information about your qualifications, interests and achievements.

The personal statement is the first thing that the university or college will read about you, so it has to make a good impression. It can help you stand out from other applicants if it shows that you are an interesting person with different interests and skills.

Your personal statement is like an advertisement of yourself. Do you remember how you felt last time you saw a good ad on TV? Yes, it made you think: “I must have this.” So, when writing your medical school application essay, you should make your admission committee think “We must choose this applicant.” Do you wonder how to achieve this? Check out the simple tips below.

Medical school personal statements: main dos and don’ts

There is only a thin line between good and bad advertizing. An intrusive advertisement irritates the audience. The same goes for admission committees, when you say to them: “I am best of the best” in your application essays. It can simply make the committee suspicious. Use your intuition and common sense to feel this line when working on your personal statements.
Main DOS:

  • answer the question WHY you want to become a doctor (or a nurse);
  • answer the question WHY YOU are a good candidate;
  • make it personal (even better, make it unique), but relevant;
  • make it simple, but succinct (use more ideas and less meaningless words);
  • make it focused – choose a main theme and stick to it.

Main DON’TS:

  • Don’t write any banalities, such as “I want to serve people” or “I am going to make a difference.” Blablabla – that’s what the committee will see in these loud words, because they read them thousands of times year after year and are already fed up with them.
  • Do not go too far with self-promotion. Yes, self-promotion is good for personal statements, but only to certain extent. Try to find out and showcase your unique advantages over other applicants. Try to be realistic.
  • Do not include any irrelevant information.
  • Do not use too many overcomplicated words and constructions.
  • Do not send your first draft. Proofread it several times and ask for feedback from your friends and colleagues.

Medical school personal statement prompts

The previous section recommends that you do not use banalities. “What should I write in my nursing school personal statement then?” you might reasonably ask. Here are some truly good suggestions for you:

  1. Relevant experiences from your life (if any). A relevant experience might be for instance the volunteer work you did at a hospital or the case when you helped a sick person get better.
  2. Your long-time aspirations, such as childhood dreams.
  3. Your future plans and opportunities after receiving the degree and professional skills.
  4. Include not only your personal strengths, but also weaknesses (however, you should not go too far with this.) By the way, you might write about certain weaknesses, which can turn out to be positive if viewed from a different perspective. For example, if you have difficulties with saying “no” to people, you might become an excellent nurse, who is attentive to patients’ needs.

Personal statement writing is a tough task. It requires you to be creative, analytical, and concise. If you are not confident with your skills in these areas, then it is best to get professional help. There are lots of online personal statement writing services available that offer admission essays writing help for a fee. Some companies provide this service as part of their hiring process while others offer it as an additional service to their clients.

As you see, there are no easy ways to writing a winning medical school admission essay. However, if you consider these helpful tips and do your best, you will have pretty good chances of success.

Why Digital Marketer Dylan Ogline Isn’t Afraid to Fire Clients

Some entrepreneurs cling to toxic clients for the extra revenue. This under-40, seven-figure entrepreneur doesn’t hesitate to send them packing.

 “It must be nice to turn away money!”

 That’s the indignant paraphrase that Dylan Ogline, founder of Ogline Digital, hears whenever he tells clients or prospective clients that they aren’t a good fit for his digital marketing agency. 

In some cases, this means turning away clients who send up red flags. In other cases, it means ending client relationships — profitable client relationships — that have become toxic.

“It’s a passive-aggressive thing to say,” Dylan explains, “and if they’re trying to shame me into doing business with them, it’s not going to work. I value my peace of mind more than that.”

 So what can get an Ogline Digital client fired? “Demanding too many meetings,” Ogline said. “Calling me all the time. Treating me like I, or someone on the team is an underling. Lack of patience with the process that we clearly laid out to them. Looking at us wrong. Honestly, it doesn’t take much.”

 “I’m a ruthless optimizer,” Ogline continued. “I believe in the 80/20 Rule, and almost every decision I make is to 80/20-optimize the way we do business.”

Toxic Clients and the 80/20 Rule

You have probably heard of the “80/20 Rule,” which is all the rage. A mild bastardization of the Pareto Principle, it states that 80% of all outcomes arise from 20% of all inputs.

This proportionality (or something close to it) plays out all over society. 20% of the people control 80% of the wealth, 20% of patients account for 80% of medical expenses, 20% of criminals commit 80% of all crimes, and 20% of employees drive 80% of the revenue.

 “According to the 80/20 Rule,” Ogline said, “I accept that 20% of our clients will be responsible for 80% of my headaches, 80% of the annoying calls, pointless meetings, and backseat driving.”

“Now imagine if I can identify those two guys out of ten and then cut them out of the business. Yes, maybe we lose 20% of our revenue … but our operations get 80% better. I haven’t completely tanked my business, but I’ve made a priceless investment in morale, wellbeing, and peace-of-mind.”

 “And we can use that mental capital to develop new business — preferably clients that won’t be as big of a headache. But every client is always on the chopping block.”

Zero Tolerance in the Next Generation

Ogline’s approach typifies a new breed of entrepreneur, who wants to own a business rather than having a business that owns them — who puts lifestyle and personal fulfillment ahead of profit-at-any-cost.

He also must be doing something right. Ogline Digital went from zero to six figures in under six months, and to seven figures in just a few years. The agency only has few clients to deal with, and a lean team who know not to disturb Dylan unless something is on fire. He is the anti-micromanager.

This frees him up to travel, volunteer, play hockey, take his dogs to the park, and the million other possible passions that the business frees him to do. Most recently, that list of passions includes Agency 2.0, a coaching and educational program Ogline founded to teach aspiring entrepreneurs to follow in his footsteps and achieve their own personal and financial freedom from the rat race.

Even If You’re a Beginner with No Revenue

Ogline teaches his students to be equally ruthless in firing clients — even if they are flat broke and haven’t made their first sale.

 “I understand the temptation to accept an abusive client when you’re desperate for revenue and don’t have a dime to your name,” he said. “I’ve been there. But it’s not worth it. An impossible-to-please client won’t even leave you a good testimonial. They might even leave you a bad testimonial. They might withhold payment. There’s just nothing to be gained.”

 “Even if you’re a complete beginner, the standard you set from the outset is the standard you will have to live with going forward.”

 By setting a standard, and encouraging students to set a standard, Ogline hopes to create a bulwark against toxic business relationships that will elevate the level of comity in the marketplace at large.

 “If people learn that being an abusive jerk will get them cut off from the best vendors,” Ogline said, “we’ll all have fewer abusive jerks to deal with. The ones who survive will learn to control themselves and adopt healthy business practices. That helps everyone.

The Ultimate Guide To Mastering The Solitaire Game

Solitaire is a fun game that everyone loves; however, you practically cannot play like a pro on the first day. For some people, it takes even more than days to become the master of the game. Irrespective of where you are in the game right now, these are effective hacks that will help catapult your gaming experience and let you handle the game like a master. 

Understanding the fundamentals of the game is the first guide you will need to master this game. Starting from the stage, you will be playing this game to complete a foundation by moving cards from one pile to another tableau. You can easily play this game online by visiting online platforms like SolitaireBliss.com where you can learn to play from one game to another and perfect your skill. 

Stick to one solitaire game at a time

I know it may be tempting to want to play all the available options, especially when playing online. However, the best way to learn how to play and become better at it is by sticking to one of them. If you prefer Klondike or Tri-Peaks, choose one of the two and focus extensively on it. The good part is, each time you play, you get better. 

Do not skip the fundamentals

It is essential to understand that playing the basics is vital in learning. I know you want to climb the ladder so fast and play the most challenging level. But it doesn’t work this way with the solitaire game. You need to ensure that you understand the basics then you can move up following that. One good thing about the basics is that the more you play it, the better you get at having control over the game. It can also be motivating because you keep winning once you learn to play it well. 

Play like a master

Solitaire is one game that needs you to think and own the game, so do not play like it does not matter. There is a difference between someone who is just passing by, and if you want to play the game well and share your improvement with friends, you need to take time to master it and play it well. 

Learn to use the tactics to achieve better results each time you play. You can even choose between tactics like maximizing the king, choosing piles with face-down cards and knowing which one works better. While it is possible to count on luck sometimes, make rational decisions when you can because that is the only way to understand the game.

Move up the ladder

Once you’ve adequately understood the basics, do not stay there forever and get too comfortable with the easy one. Step up your game by selecting the next level. Take time to master it. It is advisable to move from one stage to another to ensure that you do not get frustrated. The game is designed to follow a pattern; this will improve your cognitive ability at work as you follow the process. I know you want to peep-know what is going on at the next level, but it is ok to take your time to learn your current stage well without getting stuck. 

Understand that some levels require time to learn 

Yes, you will need to be patient as you learn through the game. Some levels will start all over and may seem impossible; it is only because you have mastered it well. Understand this and try again as much as possible. Do not rush too much. Take time to make logical decisions, and sometimes, solitaire needs you to be patient. 

It is also essential to know that it may be hard to win some stages because some games are complex. Learn to move on from them, so you keep the fun alive and keep enjoying your best game. 

Conclusion

Learning may take time, but the result is always worth it. Solitaire game is not something you do for fun; it helps build fundamental skills that are indispensable for our lives. For instance, you can learn patience and make rational decisions by simply playing the game consistently. Apply these skills to your real-life situation and you can boldly tell the differences.

What Schools in the Future Might Look Like

Statistics about America’s current education system paint a grim picture.  Over 6 million students are chronically absent from the classroom in the US every year.  University freshmen only retain 40% of what they learn in college preparatory classes from high school.  Perhaps even more disturbing, teenagers today are 5 times more likely to suffer from a mental illness than teens of prior generations.  As a result of these facts, 60% of Americans believe the traditional system is failing today’s students.

Thanks to conditions caused by the pandemic, millions of American students have tried out online learning.  While the planning and implementation of virtual school was difficult for many districts, it has led to some positive results.  Students and teachers were able to avoid deadly disease during COVID-19’s early stages.  57% of students have more positive feelings about online school than they did before the pandemic started.  A professionally designed virtual school can have all the benefits of online schooling without the snags traditional schools ran into during lockdown days. 

Both students and families see many benefits from online learning.  Virtual school offers a more flexible schedule to its students.  Students who have been the victims of bullying find a safer environment online, where bullying incidents are noticeably fewer in number.  Families concerned with current curriculum culture wars have more involvement in their child’s education when they enroll in virtual schools.  Online schooling is also more time effective, taking 40% to 60% less time than traditional schools to teach the same material.  Imagine how many more subjects a student can cover with their extra time!

Another advantage of online schooling is its newness.  Traditional schooling is hard to make rapid changes to.  Current physical schools value conformity and compliance.  Meanwhile, the modern job market wants to see people with innovative ideas, a creative spirit, and the initiative to try new things.  Fast paced changes in technology require people to learn and relearn several times throughout their adult life.  One way online schooling can cultivate this mindset is by implementing project-based learning.  Students engaged in hands-on learning are 1.5 times less likely to fail. On average, their exam scores improved by half a letter grade. This form of active learning allows students to build critical thinking, cultivate their creativity, and improve their knowledge levels.  Student-led, project-based curriculums lead to higher graduation rates, increased student motivation, and improved interaction between teachers and students.  

Virtual schools can also experiment with a feedback system that goes beyond grading.  Right now, many students put in just enough work to earn their desired grade.  The learning they achieve in school comes secondary to their performance evaluation.  Grades cause stress and higher stakes for students, with a depressing 80% of students believing their parents care more about their grades than their happiness.  Going beyond a letter or number grade would involve teachers giving descriptive feedback on student work.  This could encourage self-reflection and help the student connect their learning with future goals. Grades are exchanged for mentorship.

CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC, Lori Smith, Provides Small Businesses With a Competitive Advantage to Securing Federal Government Contracts

Establishing a business from planning to implementation is no small feat, but that only marks the beginning. A business must continuously stay ahead of the competition and seek lucrative opportunities like federal government contracts to become a successful enterprise. One individual providing small business owners with the necessary knowledge and tools to help them stay ahead of the curve, secure lucrative contracts, and maintain a healthy government-business relationship is a business coach, retired federal contracting officer, and CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC, Lori Smith

A native of Macon, GA, Lori Smith is a visionary leader with more than forty years of federal experience culminating as a federal contracting officer committed to helping black women-owned and other small businesses obtain government contracts and simplify the federal contracting process. During her years in federal service, she proffered her expertise to direct a full range of contract administration actions, such as overseeing a $128 billion portfolio, providing executive support, and human resources management services. 

Over her years in service, Lori Smith has developed a keen ability to recognize the various problems organizations and individuals seeking contracts with the Federal Government often face. “Black women-owned businesses, as well as other small businesses, get lost in the procedural aspect of government contracting. For some, it discourages them from engaging, and I want to change that,” she explained. To empower these small businesses, she founded her consulting firm, Acu-Elligent LLC, to help them articulate their vision, and assist them with understanding federal contract terms, federal regulations, pricing and billing regulations associated with doing business with the federal government. 

At Acu-Elligent LLC, Lori collaborates with a team of seasoned business strategists, mentors, professional trainers and thought leaders who employ expert knowledge to define and develop the most cost-effective solutions to help companies achieve their government contracting goals. 

The firm’s unique approach helps small businesses maximize their potential and develop an alignment and a clear roadmap towards achieving a healthy business relationship with government agencies, policymakers, government contractors, end-users, suppliers and subcontractors. With over seven decades in the industry, Acu-Elligent’s team of business strategists has earned a stellar reputation for successfully proffering the best solution and helping businesses navigate through opportunities and challenges through strategic positioning, relationship, and resources.

In addition to helping small businesses achieve their contracting goals, Lori Smith is also equipped with sound consulting/business principles and well-validated techniques which produce excellent results. She is the author of the best-selling book Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success: How to Give Your Business the Winning Edge. The book helps the readers understand business intricacies and how to write to win more customers, clients, and contracts. Other works include Customer Relationship Management: A Business Guide to Customer Relationship Management, Discovering Techniques for Attracting and Retaining Customers. Her latest effort, Business Development and Strategic Marketing: A Practical Guide for Business Owners, Understanding Business Development, Guidance for Orchestrating Strategic Marketing Plans for Success, will be published soon. 

Lori Smith holds a BS Degree in Resource Management from Troy University and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma. In addition, she earned her certifications in DAWIA and FAC-C Level III and is a certified GrowthIQ Personality Assessment Evaluator with a MA in Business from the University of Phoenix. Lori is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business from Northcentral University, and is American Board certified as Hypnotherapist, Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a NLP Coach, and is certified as a Time Line Therapy Practitioner as well.