
Transplant Your Garden
Why I choose to call the Capital Region home
It’s important for transplants to realize that our greatest strength can also be our greatest liability. What we bring to the table is a disregard for what, allegedly, cannot be done. But it’s important to understand the context in which our ideas are being received. We need to be just as willing to learn as we are to create.

Is it Time to Off-Board a Client?
How to create a clear transition from client to former client
When your company closes a new client, the last thing you might be thinking is how you’re going to eventually close out the contract, too. But not matter what you sell, every business needs this departure system in place if you’re going to have clean transitions and decrease stress.

The Secret to Brand Loyalty
If you want your customers to stay loyal, make them a top priority
The real secret to brand loyalty: Customers are loyal to brands that are loyal to them. True brand loyalty isn’t bought — it’s earned one customer experience at a time.

The Power of Failure
Getting it wrong builds resiliency, courage and confidence
Working hard to achieve something new should not be fodder for punitive action; it’s the maintenance of a poorly functioning status quo that should be looked at with a sideways glance. Perfection lives on the same continuum as failure. In life, as in work, we learn painfully but fully from our failures — that is when we grow.

Breaking Up Is Hell. Especially With Your Financial Adviser
At first everything’s great. You talk all the time, set life goals together, exchange notes. One day you notice the conversations have gotten shorter, the notes less frequent. Calls go unanswered. Maybe you two aren’t such a great fit after all. The problem is, this person manages your life savings.

Startup of the Month: My Swirl
Female-centric social platform seeks to change how people connect online
After working the male-dominated world of technology and venture investment for more than a decade, Saville decided to take matters into her own hands.

Fresh Intervention
11 young leaders bring a new perspective to the Capital Region
This year’s list features innovators, disruptors and creators who are invigorating our cities and challenging the status quo. The impact they’ll make in our local communities and beyond will help define our future.

Striking Gold
Erica Taylor, VP of communications and community relations at Golden 1, on how the financial institution appeals to young clients — and employees
We sat down recently with Erica Taylor, Golden 1 Vice President of Communications & Community Relations and last year’s Young Professional of the Year, to talk about the credit union’s efforts to attract and retain younger employees and customers.

Dilemma of the Month: Professional Work on Your Personal Cell
Where to set boundaries and how to maintain them
I work at a marketing company and often work long hours. Sometimes issues come up outside of the office, and I frequently find myself using my cellphone (and personal computer) for work. Am I required to do this and if not, how can I respectfully set limitations?

When I Was Your Age…
Navigating the generation gap, again
People will inevitably adapt to the demands that new technologies bring. They say that children born today will never have to learn to drive a car. Instead, they will learn to do things no adult generation today can yet imagine. It has always been this way, since the first caveman discovered fire and invented tools. Each preceding generation has something to do with the inventions that are passed on to the next. So why all the intergenerational demonization?