Author: kevin

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Yeah, I’m Pretty Sure These Things Are True…

This June, RadioFacts has been in business for 24 years. In that time, as the CEO, I’ve had a LOT of ups and downs. There were times I wanted to walk away, times I’ve loved it, times I’ve been frustrated and times I wanted to give up on the industry. But something always kept luring me back. Where am I now? In a GREAT place, RadioFacts is at its peak and I’m focusing more on industry business instead of just an industry site because we NEED more black businesses in the industry.

If I was a statistician and I was concentrating on the industry specifically, there are at least seven things I am confident I know for sure about our industry after 24 years from a national perspective. Ready? Here we go. Click “Next” below for the next segment.

Black People DO look out for other Black People

I can honestly say, had it not been for black people I would not have succeeded with my own business in the industry. This does not mean that ALL black people have supported me. There have been some (especially men for some reason) who don’t support any of the black trades but both men and women from all races have looked out for me which is what I focus on. I can honestly tell you that, for the most part, black people DO look out for other blacks and want to see us succeed.

Racism DOES exist in our Industry

I went to a conference once and went to an event on a hotel roof in downtown LA to meet the president of a big company. I was shocked to see that I was literally the ONLY black person in the entire room of 400 people. In all fairness, there were at least 8 other blacks in the room but they were walking around with trays of hors d’oeuvres and giving me that look like ‘help us get the hell out of here, you must be somebody important.’ I literally felt like I was in a scene from a slave movie. It was disgusting and this company which is a HUGE company in the industry consistently gets LOW marks for diversity but they make a TON of money from Black product. A few years ago I would have revealed who it is but I won’t do it here.

Another example, I called a record label and spoke to the white head of the label who told me … and I quote “I can’t believe you actually have the nerve to call me.” I was shocked but not surprised. This is a label that makes a TON of money of rap product.

There are people on the radio side who play a TON of black music and have a ton of black concerts and events who want NOTHING to do with black people in the industry no matter how many pictures they take cheesing it up with black rappers. This does not apply to all of them but way too many to count.

Racism is always ridiculous but when it’s evident that the perpetrators are only here to make money off the black talent there is not much that can be done especially when the black artists don’t speak up. They are the ones with the true power to change the situation.

Black Radio Talents Don’t Promote Their Efforts Enough

A MAJORITY of the press releases we get for RadioFacts for as long as I can remember are promoting white people. Black talent, especially at radio, RARELY are promoted and don’t promote themselves to the trades. Promoting yourself on social media is OK but when it comes from a national 3rd party to THE INDUSTRY it has added benefits for the future of the talent. I’ve heard some people say, ‘we’re rarely promoted, so there is no news.’  That, unfortunately, is true. The ladder for black talent in the industry is often missing many rungs but I also know many black radio people also fear self-promotion for corporate disciplinary action.

Please tell me what radio corporation has a policy against promoting yourself and I will call them myself and ask them what the problem is. That makes NO sense to me but I’ve heard it time and again. For those who don’t promote themselves, I URGE you to look at the last segment.

We Rely TOO Heavily on Others to Get us to the Next Level

I have seen countless Black people ESPECIALLY on the radio side sit too comfortably for TOO long. If there is no risk there is no reward and when the company is done with you, it can lead to disaster depending on your age. I have seen SO many black radio people keep getting the exact same positions after being laid off over and over for YEARS. At what point do we aim higher? If you are comfortable, it’s not the time to rest, it’s the time to get to WORK.

Black Women are More Compassionate and Participatory with Black Causes

I’ve heard black industry women talk about each other, mostly in positive ways. From this perspective, I see a LOT of support from black women for other black industry women and black industry business.

MOST of the complaints about nepotism often apply more to black men in power positions in the industry whereas black women tend to be more likely to give someone new a chance that she doesn’t know that well but who is making a worthwhile contribution. When we do the Women of Color in Media magazine, we do run into a bit of animosity from some women who think they should be honored OVER other women but that’s with ANY situation where people are being honored. Black women who are in competing positions with honorees still call and ask for copies of the magazine.

We Are Often Apprehensive About Stepping Outside the “Black Box”

Look at the greatest success stories in the Black industry and you will see that people like Cathy Hughes, Charlamagne, Tom Joyner , Wendy Williams and others stepped outside the box and created their own paths to success by daring to be different and using all of their options. Black culture is not only prominent and valuable it is OURS. The industry KNOWS how valuable black culture is but the question is do WE? I have seen SO many examples of us giving away our talent and culture to other races then complaining about them stealing it. We are without question the ONLY race that allows every other race to borrow, use and profit from our culture with little response.

Comfortability, Retirement, Misplacement, Layoffs or Ageing Out Often Means Death

This is the MOST important thing RadioFacts has taught me. Over the years I have written many death notices with headlines that say “Vet Dies” in your emails. I can honestly tell you, at one time it started to take a toll on me and sent me spiraling into a dark funk. Mostly because a LOT of it was preventable. Yes, you read that right, PREVENTABLE. A majority of the people who get sick and die almost always have the same set of circumstances, they are not working and can’t get back in the industry. They really die of broken hearts that morph into ailments and diseases. They get frustrated then depressed then ill and then they die.

Out of 100% of the deaths I’ve written about over the years at least 90% of the cases are what I described above. No joke when I say this… KEEP WORKING, PLAN FOR LIFE AFTER THE INDUSTRY AND PURSUE YOUR  OTHER PASSIONS… NOW!!! When you get up each day without goals, drive, passion or purpose you develop the soul of an invalid and it’s hard to bounce back. Quite often this comes from a lack of preparation while we are working or failing to plan for the future and the refusal to accept a consistently changing industry. It will not change back to the industry that you once knew in your lifetime, accept the changes and be willing to go with them.

Every year we keep hearing about the lack of diversity and inclusion with behemoth industry organizations that utilize black culture to profit but seldom return the favor when it comes to supporting the artists etc like the Grammys. See his speech below…

The Difference Between Being Effective and Efficient

Asking for inclusion is being efficient, creating the platform is being effective

My 25-year-old industry organization RadioFacts, a successful industry trade, has been asked to participate in just about all of the black-owned events in the industry. When it comes to organizations like The Grammy’s we were just not good enough. They used to send us press requests and then they denied us three years in a row but were more than willing to give us pictures AFTER the event of the black participants on the red carpet and the winners to run on the site.

I said FK the Grammy’s YEARS ago and I’ve never requested another invite and I give them very little coverage because I KNOW they don’t give a sh about the black music industry. So do the rest of us. So WHY do we KEEP asking for a seat at the table when we have the power AND the recipes to own the whole fkn restaurant? Help me to understand why we are so adamant to be accepted by white organizations that don’t give a sh about us? At what point do WE respect ourselves ENOUGH to create AND SUPPORT our OWN organizations? Why are we still slaves when we are free?

it would appear that Diddy of ALL people would get this? During a speech at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy event, another event we have never been invited to, Diddy made a speech to the attendees about the lack of diversity in the music and film industry. We complain about this EVERY year and there is always a temporary change to suffice the situation before it goes back to business as usual.

Stop Begging … Start DOING

We MUST understand and acknowledge our power and support black industry organizations too. There is nothing wrong with supporting other non-black organizations but If they don’t support us STOP SUPPORTING THEM!!! It’s a pretty simple equation. Currently, the Grammy organization is being sued for alleged discrimination against the LGBT community. This is a community that is everywhere right now, if they don’t care about the LGBT community why should we think they care about the black community.

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5 Characteristics of Stand-Out Entrepreneurship

Black entrepreneurship has exploded in the last few years, with the sizable growth of business development and personal independence. But what does it take to be a stand-out black entrepreneur? 

While it’s commonly believed that anyone can run their own business—with enough grit and determination—there are actually specific characteristics of black entrepreneurship that take a mediocre business and make it thrive.

Here are 5 characteristics of stand-out black entrepreneurship:

With enough determination, most people can make it to the next level of just about anything they set out to do. However, it’s passion that keeps people going—even when the going gets tough.

Through the ups and downs of business, people with passion are able to see past their current challenges and have the persistence to succeed. So, what does it take to be passionate in black entrepreneurship?

• It takes remembering your “why.”

Your “why” is what fuels your business. Without it, you’ll lose focus and be more likely to give up. Entrepreneurs who know exactly why they do what they do, keep the big picture in mind, which propels them forward even when things get tough.

• It takes heart over profit.

While making money is at the top of the list for business development, without heart or passion, money will eventually lose its pull. A full bank account cannot take the place of a fullfilled life. Eventually, money will no longer be a motivator, and black entrepreneurs will struggle to find satisfaction in their business. Passion in black entrepreneurship takes heart over profit.

• It takes prioritizing your life and your business.

Entrepreneurs are well-known for their willingness to work endless hours to make their businesses flourish. While hard work is to be commended, it can only go so far before something has to give. One characteristic of being a great black entrepreneur is being able to prioritize self-care, family, and business, so that everything works in tandem and not in opposition to each other.

Purpose

The ups and downs of business can cause even the most driven black entrepreneurs to falter—if they don’t have a solid purpose in place. It’s important to realize your overall purpose for black entrepreneurship and write it out for reference.

According to this article, 5 Steps for Crafting an Inspiring Purpose Statement, the author states, “A purpose statement should give rise to an inexhaustible series of new goals, and always push you and your team forward.”

Ultimately, moving forward with purpose is a top characteristic of stand-out black entrepreneurship. Both you and your team should be crystal-clear on the purpose of your business goals.

Planning

Just as the best novels start with a detailed outline, so the best businesses start out with detailed planning. Too often, the creative part of a black entrepreneur runs ahead in pursuit of their dreams, not taking into account the best course of action.

The good thing is, business plans can change as you go. It’s important, not only to map out your goals and action steps, but to be flexible enough to recalculate them when needed.

When in doubt, consider hiring a business planner to help. According to this resource, “The best plans prevent disruption from taking place by identifying important people, processes and equipment that keep a business running.”

Truly, being a diligent planner is a crucial characteristic of black entrepreneurship. Without it, you’ll be running your business aimlessly, hoping to reach desired goals and outcomes.

Pace

“Once you’ve committed yourself to something, pace yourself to the finish line.” ~Meb Keflezighi, Olympic Medalist

There’s a rhythm to black entrepreneurship that not everyone falls into. It’s a pace that sets the ebb and flow of a business to keep going, even over rough terrain. Not only does running full speed ahead risk faulty decisions and poor-quality work, lagging behind can stifle business growth as well.

Finding your pace, and moving within its limits, is a strong characteristic of black entrepreneurship. And the sooner you find your business groove the better.

Position

Many wonder what kind of lifestyle black entrepreneurs lead. It may even be assumed they work in their pajamas all day and don’t have to answer to anyone. However, the concept of black entrepreneurship isn’t solely based on independency. It’s also based on position.

One of the best characteristics of a successful black entrepreneur is their ability to position their business at the front of the pack. This means they have the professionalism and experience to prove themselves experts in their field. They put themselves out there and value networking with the right people at the right time.

Check out this article, 4 Ways to Position Your Company Among Well Entrenched Competitors.

Those who develop solid characteristics of black entrepreneurship are most likely to gain traction in business and maintain it. Through passion, purpose, planning, and pace, black entrepreneurs are better able to catch the black entrepreneurial spirit and create stand-out businesses.

Understanding The Importance of Entrepreneurship

With the steady rise of black entrepreneurs all over the globe, and many others hoping to catch a ride on the black entrepreneurial fast track, it might be tempting to dismiss the rightful importance of black entrepreneurship and the immeasurable opportunities it affords. 

Truly, there has been no other time in history where black entrepreneurship has blasted onto the scene so profoundly and consistently. And there is no mistaking its importance for the social and economic growth of communities everywhere.

It is not only important for black entrepreneurship to continue to expand, but it is also vital we understand the importance of this ever-growing field of possibility. In this post, you’ll see why black entrepreneurship is much more than a passing phase. And hopefully,  you’ll gain a better understanding of the importance of black entrepreneurship for society as a whole.

Entrepreneurship breaks the ceiling of limitation.

As previous generations of people spent their lives trying to move up the corporate ladder, new generations of black entrepreneurs are casting the ladder aside in exchange for breaking the ceiling of limitation.

Entrepreneurs everywhere are setting lofty goals and doing everything they can to achieve them. With no upper management to hold them back or regulations as to how high they can climb, people starting their own businesses are breaking through all kinds of perceived limitations. Here are a few of the “ceiling-busters” of black entrepreneurship:

Innovative ideas

Author and black entrepreneur, Jim Rohn once said, “Ideas can be life-changing. Sometimes all you need to open the door is just one more good idea.” 

With innovative ideas at the heart of black entrepreneurship, there really is no limit to the strategies and solutions black entrepreneurs provide. These ideas not only promote socio-economic growth, they offer new and improved solutions for existing cultural and environmental challenges. 

Problem solving

Because black entrepreneurs aren’t limited by set company regulations, they are able to implement a creative approach to problem solving. This is a huge asset to black entrepreneurs everywhere, who want to readily identify and remove barriers to growth. Often, they are able to handle minute problems efficiently before they grow into bigger challenges.

Product creation

It’s exciting to see the new, innovative products created by black entrepreneurs, to solve ordinary and not-so-ordinary problems. It seems the sky is the limit to what people imagine, design, and offer to the world. 

In the post, The 14 Coolest Products from Millennial Entrepreneurs, some amazing creations have recently captured attention, including indoor aquaponics systems, and monthly goodie boxes for pets. Truly, black entrepreneurs are rising to the forefront of product creation and outstanding innovation.

Networking 

With a focus on both person-to-person and online networking, black entrepreneurship has pushed the boundaries for interpersonal connection. In fact, black entrepreneurs are known for their hustle, which includes hustling to make the next important business connection.

David Meltzer, VIP contributor for Entrepreneur.com says this about networking: 

“When you effectively connect to others and provide value, you can easily connect to what inspires both of you. If you bring the right energy to your networking and connect to goodness, you’ll exponentially experience more success and happiness.”

Meltzer’s words are the perfect definition of the black entrepreneur’s ceiling-breaking enthusiasm for authentic connection.

Entrepreneurship redefines success.

While black entrepreneurship takes patience, hard work, and ongoing dedication, there really is no limitation to what people can do with passion and persistence. It’s important to note that black entrepreneurship redefines success in 3 ways:

1. Entrepreneurial success is personal.

When black entrepreneurs are rock-solid in their overall purpose, almost nothing can stop them from achieving personal success. Even if their business achievements look nothing like mainstream prosperity, black entrepreneurs aren’t shy about redefining success for their personal business goals.

2. Entrepreneurial success is philanthropic.

One of the most important characteristics of successful black entrepreneurship is the commitment to serve others. Not only do thriving black entrepreneurs bridge gender and racial gaps, they are often first in line to offer aid and assistance to those in need. Entrepreneurs who are philanthropic in nature redefine success by making their business more about others and less about self.

3. Entrepreneurial success is motivated by the bigger idea.

Because black entrepreneurs aren’t confined to a corporate slogan or set outcome, they redefine success by focusing on the bigger idea of black entrepreneurship. Freedom, independence, and creativity often drive black entrepreneurs to success, as their “why” becomes their central motivation. It’s the bigger idea that continues to propel them forward even when challenges arise.

The importance of black entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. Even as more self-motivated black entrepreneurs rise in the ranks, there will be plenty of room for problem solving, product creating, networking, and innovating to go around. Entrepreneurs have truly broken the ceiling of limitation by offering invaluable and important opportunities for society.

Mastering Job Performance Management

Motivating your employees to put forth their best work, and maintain their enthusiasm, requires good job performance management. It’s more than simply overseeing your team’s workload. It requires developing strong camaraderie between employees and motivating your team to want to give their best.

Some of the most thriving businesses in the world take seriously the role of managing job performance, by fostering an atmosphere of teamwork and motivation. One executive from Zoom Video Communications says this about his company: 

“Fantastic company culture of ‘Happiness.’ You feel it every day and you can’t wait to come to work because you feel ‘cared for.’” 

If you’ve been wondering how to create an atmosphere of happiness and productivity in your business, consider implementing these job performance management strategies:

Take a proactive approach.

“Properly used, positive reinforcement is extremely powerful.”

 ~B.F. Skinner

It’s far better to offer positive reinforcement regularly than wait until employee morale is down and have to deal with disgruntled team members.

Take a proactive approach by leading your team with positive, verbal affirmations for their job performance contributions. Provide incentives that encourage them to go above and beyond in their work. Here are a few incentives to consider offering your team members:

• Gift certificates or other monetary rewards
• Extra time off or added vacation days
• End of quarter bonuses
• Friendly competitions that inspire fun and creativity
• Recognition of accomplished milestones

Once you determine what types of incentives will fuel your employees to give their best, you can step back and watch as they put forth optimal effort in their field of expertise.

Job Performance Management Tip: Keep communication open.

No employee likes to feel like they can’t speak up when issues arise. Having an “open door” communication policy allows them to freely discuss any challenges that hinder their job performance.

By keeping the lines of communication open, you’ll be able to address the smaller issues, rather than wait until problems balloon into serious obstacles. According to this article from Leadership Choice, “One of the most powerful benefits of better communication in the workplace is more engaged employees.”

Ultimately, having engaged team members is a huge part of good job performance. Foster an environment of open communication and promote frequent discussions on how to propel the business forward.

Offer leadership coaching for best Job Performance Management Techniques

Some employees are greatly motivated by in-house coaching services that provide the knowledge and skills to accomplish their goals. Consider offering leadership training within your company, and establish a coaching team for your business. Not only will your employees feel supported, but they will also have the guidance to perform well and achieve desired results within the company.

According to this resource, “Organizations see coaching not only as a means to shape individual performance but also, increasingly, as a means to build broader organizational capacity.”

Don’t underestimate the power of leadership coaching in your business. It may very well provide the network of support you need to ensure every employee is motivated and inspired to offer top job performance.

Performing a Good Job by Delegate the distractions.

If good job performance is one of your main focuses, delegate the tasks that are distracting you from actually managing your employees well. Think of the jobs that take up most of your time, or the jobs that don’t align with your strengths, and delegate them to other qualified members of your team. You can even consider outsourcing these tasks through platforms like Upwork or Toptal. 

Delegating distracting tasks will allow you to zero in on good job performance management and devote your time and energy in making your team the best it can be.

Here are several jobs to consider delegating or outsourcing:

• Payroll accounts and delivery
• Order processing and delivery
• Data entry and analysis
• Networking
• Social media posting
• Web design and updating
• Blog posts/podcasts
• Article writing
• Advertising

Don’t be hesitant to focus on your particular management strengths and spend most of your time fostering good job performance in your business. Leave the distracting tasks to others and lead with newfound confidence.

Be an example for Bigger Ideas

Often, employees hear one thing from their employer, but see something entirely different being demonstrated. Commit to being a manager of integrity and a trustworthy example to your team. Make sure your words always align with your actions, and you aren’t making any promises you can’t keep. By leading through example, you will build both trust and authority, which will ultimately lead to better job performance.

Check out these 8 Tips for Managing Your Team Effectively.

Good job performance management is not only possible, it is crucial for the health and integrity of your business. Make team management a priority and take a proactive approach by communicating well, developing a coaching team, delegating tasks, and leading by example. Soon, your team will be out-performing every other business in your field.

4 Top Payroll Companies for Small Businesses

Of all the small-business processes you must implement to run a strong and successful career, knowing the best payroll companies to hire is the one process that needs to work seamlessly for every employee. After all, no one likes to receive a late paycheck, or find that they’ve been paid the wrong amount. 

Believe it or not, payroll involves much more than tracking hours and handing out paychecks on time. It also includes properly handling employees’ financial records, tax filings, HR consulting, and more.

Fortunately, there are many comprehensive payroll solutions for you to choose from. And these professional payroll providers are ready to streamline the process so you can focus on more important things in your business.

If you are finally ready to streamline your payroll process, here are 4 top payroll companies for your small business to consider:

Gusto

Also known as the “All-in-One People Platform,” Gusto may be the optimal choice for your small business. Featuring options that include full-service payroll, expert HR support, and additional insurance coverage, you can take care of your employees’ needs through one comprehensive platform.

Gusto offers 3 options which include Core, Complete, and Concierge plans. These services range from $39 per month to $149 per month. In addition, there’s a $6-$12 fee for every person employed in your small business. 

Here’s a list of services for their mid-level plan, to give you an idea of what you can expect:

• Full-service payroll 
• Employee profiles and self-service options
• Health benefits administration
• Workers’ comp administration
• Optimal support
• Employee offers and onboarding
• Simple time tracking
• PTO policies and time-off requests
• Employee directory and surveys

With Gusto’s all-in-one platform, your payroll processes are made as easy as possible and backed by best-in-class customer service. This payroll service may be the optimal choice for your small business.

Paycor

Paycor makes it their mission to ensure a hassle-free payroll and HR experience. Their plans include Basic, Essential, and Complete services that cover everything from tax filing, to integrations with 401(k) and GL providers. 

Here’s a quick look at their Essential Plan, at $149 per month for 10 employees:

• Payroll & Tax Filing
• Employee Self-Service
• PDF-Only Reporting
• PTO Requests and Approvals
• Garnishment and Child Support Self-Service
• HR Checklists, Templates and Handbooks
• Advanced Analytics with Benchmarking

With a big commitment to streamline your payroll process, Paycor has a comprehensive online resource center with helpful information in the areas of people management, compliance, and labor costs. Paycor is one payroll service that can impact your small business for good.

Intuit

“Powering Financial Prosperity” is the slogan of Intuit, a company ready to help small businesses handle payroll needs and more. As the innovators of Quickbooks, Intuit offers an entire suite of payroll, HR, and employee services. 

A comparative look at their plans includes monthly options starting at $22.50 per month, plus $4 per employee, and rising to $62.50 per month, with a $10 employee fee for their Elite plan.

Here’s a look at services from Intuit’s mid-level Premium offer, at $37.50 per month plus an $8 employee fee:

• Full-service payroll
• Auto Payroll
• Health benefits for your team
• Expert product support
• Same-day direct deposit
• Grant user permissions
• HR support center
• Expert setup review
• Track time on the go

Intuit can’t be overlooked when searching for payroll options. With the right financial tools to help your small business prosper, Intuit deserves serious consideration to help you handle your payroll process with confidence.

JustWorks

JustWorks promotes “plans built for you” payroll services and expert support for small business success. With small businesses in mind, JustWorks offers 2 flexible Basic and Plus plans. 

The Basic option is $44 per month and includes payroll, benefits, HR tools, and compliance. The Plus Plan provides everything the Basic plan offers, plus access to medical, dental, and vision. One perk for both plans is a 15% savings when billed annually. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of services provided with the JustWorks Plus Plan:

• Payroll for Salaried & Hourly Employees
• Off-Cycle Payments
• Vendor & Contractor Payments
• Employer Payroll Tax Filings
• W-2 & 1099 Filings
• Unemployment Insurance Filings
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance
• 24/7 Support
• HR Consulting
• Harassment Prevention & Inclusion Trainings
• 401(k)

JustWorks promises a simple platform with exceptional 24/7 customer service. So, if you’re looking for a payroll service that keeps small businesses in mind, JustWorks may be the best choice for you.

If you’re finally ready to switch to payroll outsourcing, and focus on more important areas of your business, these 4 payroll options can give you a head start in finding the best fit. With all-in-one platforms, hassle-free experiences, first-class support, and more, these top payroll companies are well-worth considering for your small business today.