Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

Your Worst Nightmare – What To Do If You Are Wrongly Accused Of Murder

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and two key focuses are Current Events and Health/Wellness. Unfortunately, throughout our history, people have been wrongly accused of crimes. If you find yourself in such a perilous position, it’s important understand how to navigate the situation. The following contributed post is entitled, Your Worst Nightmare – What To Do If You Are Wrongly Accused Of Murder.

* * *

Image Credit: Pixabay, Free to Use Licence

Being wrongly accused of a murder you didn’t commit is perhaps everyone’s worst nightmare and can have a huge impact on a person life. If you or someone you know has been accused of murder, no matter how sure you are that you will be proven innocent, it’s vital that you find a defence attorney immediately to guide you through the process.

What are the different types of murder charges?

Murder also referred to as homicide, is often broken down into subcategories, although all are serious they can come with slightly different penalties and which you have been accused with matters greatly.

First-degree murder
First-degree murder is the most serious murder charge and is used when the accused is thought to have planned to kill the victim requiring malice and forethought. As one of the most heinous crimes first-degree murder often comes with the highest of penalties.
Second-degree murder
Second-degree murder is often used to describe a case when the individual intended to kill a person but did not have time to plan it, such as a crime of passion. In some states, second-degree murder is also applied to cases where a person’s actions are so reckless that they were likely to kill someone. Second-degree murder is still a very serious crime and the accused will still likely face some of the harshest sentences, although the death penalty is not an option.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter charges usually come from accidental circumstances where the accused did not mean to kill the other person. Sentences for manslaughter can vary greatly depending on the situation but are often far less severe than intentional murder.
Justifiable homicide
Justifiable homicide is not really a legal charge but more of a classification that can be used by law enforcement if a person kills another through actions such as self-defence.
Other homicide
Some countries and states have developed other homicide charges such as felony murder wherein the defendant did not cause the death of the other person but was participating in the crime which eventually caused the death.

What to do next

Call a lawyer
The very first thing you should do when accused of murder is to seek help from professionals such as murder defence attorneys. You are not obligated to answer police questions straight away and have the right to remain silent and plead The Fifth Amendment until your lawyer is present.
Avoid talking to family or friends
The only person you should call is your attorney, don’t speak to family or friends about the events of the crime as these are not protected by law and your family may be quizzed about what you have told them putting them under unnecessary stress.
Work to prove your innocence
With your defence attorney, the next step is to prove your innocence. Start by making a list of alibis and potential witnesses who can testify in your favour. If you were present at the crime but not involved then write down everything you can remember while it is fresh in your mind. Finally, work through the evidence you have with your lawyer who will be able to build a case for you.

4 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Business

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter how novel and exciting your business idea is, you must secure it. You must optimize the security of your business on numerous fronts. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Business.

* * *

Pexels

Regardless of the kind of business that you operate, you’ll want to keep all of your assets safe and sound. Whether it’s stock, technology, data, or money, there are several ways that you can enhance your security.

1 . Invest in CCTV

A good CCTV system is a must-have to keep your premises protected. CCTV cameras can function to deter criminals from targeting your property. As well as this, a CCTV monitoring system means that you’ll have evidence should a crime occur. The theft or damage of equipment or data will cost your business time and money both. CCTV can serve as a good damage control solution should the worst happen. Should extreme damages occur in the event of a break-in, it’s a good idea to call upon commercial restoration companies to provide help. Such companies can also assist in the event of high scale damages; from extreme weather to other structural disasters.

2 . Hire a security guard

To protect your business premises, a security guard can be a great call. Having a well-trained security professional will provide you with peace of mind that your building and employees are safe. A security guard will be able to monitor video surveillance around the building and ensure the correct access to the correct people. They can check ID and direct visitors as needed. Again, a security guard alone can be a great deterrent to potential thieves.

3. Cybersecurity

In the modern business world, cybersecurity is just as big an issue as physical security. It’s essential to put means in place to protect yourself online. When employees are accessing your network, ensure that you implement a multi-factor authentication system. Such a system involves several different checks to prove the identity of the employee. From biometric traits like fingerprints to codes sent via SMS; you can be sure that the right people have access. It can also be useful to hire an IT professional to perform a cybersecurity audit. An audit can identify and fix the weak points in your security system. When you implement new security solutions, ensure that you train your staff in terms of best practices. Using the internet to help your business can only be successful if you know how to stay safe online.

4. Install an alarm system

An effective alarm system is a great way to improve the security of your business. Such systems can alert the police quickly and efficiently should there be a break in. Regardless of an alarm system, it can be a good idea not to store all your valuables on-premises. Some businesses like to invest in storage solutions to have another place to keep valuable data or assets. Spreading your assets over multiple locations can be a good damage control solution.

Lastly, make sure that you backup your valuable documents and data and use the cloud as much as possible. If you’re concerned about cybersecurity, it can be beneficial to invest in a cybersecurity insurance policy. These policies can cover you in the event of a data breach, including any loss of revenue incurred as a result.

How To Make Money From Your Property

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Real estate is currently one of the most lucrative investment classes out there. There are numerous ways to make money by owning a property and the only limitation is the owner’s creativity. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Money From Your Property.

* * *

Being able to make money from your property is something that many of us can likely do depending on a few factors. To make a bit of extra cash here and there can be very beneficial for our household savings, so here’s how to make money from your property.

Image Source

Start Growing And Selling Produce

If you’re a bit of a green thumb in the garden, then there might be a business in what you are successfully able to grow. In this world, where we’re trying to be more sustainable in order to help and support the environment, people will likely want to buy locally. This is because it’s more sustainable and kinder on the environment when you’re getting your fresh produce from a few doors down. First, you want to figure out exactly what you can sell and preferably, you want food and herbs that are going to be quick to grow and harvest. You may also have quite a bit of land to work with and so having somewhat of a farm might be a useful business to operate on the side of your full-time job. It’s important that if you start expanding beyond selling locally, then you may need to get clued up with some Agriculture lawyers who can give you advice on contracts, etc.

Rent Out A Room

You might have quite a big-sized property, so big in fact that you have too much to make use of. Renting out your space has now become very profitable after the creation of sites like Airbnb, which lets pretty much anyone put up a room or home as a holiday let. If you want though and have a freehold property, you could rent out a room. This can be done directly with yourself, or you might want to let a property agent sort it all out with no real effort needed from yourself. As long as you’re happy sharing or if it’s the whole property, coming to terms with it never being the same as how you had it, it’s worth doing. Some tenants might damage the property by accident, so there’s always that which needs thinking about in regard to the extra expenditures you might need to make further down the line.

Create A Side Hustle

A side hustle is something you do to make money on the side of your current job. And before long you can find yourself looking for further investments, checking out the best investment properties and even researching the best swiss bank account you can find. It’s an exciting prospect and worth thinking about. It might be from a hobby that you currently have and which you can transform into a money-making venture. Being able to create a side hustle is exciting because you end up having control over what you create or produce and you become a one-man band, doing everything that’s involved with running a business. Whether you’re selling handmade items on Etsy or running an online blog that works with brands, having something on the side can provide you with that little extra income that you or your household might need in emergencies. Side hustles can often also turn into full-time ventures if you work hard enough.

Sell It As An Event Space

Your home might be very functional in terms of a space to hold events. It could be unique enough to be the set of a film or television show. Or a place for fashion companies and brands to shoot their own content for business. So there are plenty of opportunities where your home can become an event space or an opportunity for a company to come in and use it to feature their services or products. As a homeowner, this can be a very interesting experience because you get to see your home being used in a different light while making money off others who require your space. There are plenty of people out there that might need your home for a day or two, so take advantage of what’s online so that you can benefit from using your home as a place for others to do business.

Making money from your property is one benefit that’s come from the modern-day world that we now live in. Now that we have access to so many more resources, we have the opportunity to be able to do more. We can create side hustles and businesses from the comfort of our home. We’re able to feature our homes as event spaces, filming opportunities and even to rent it out through online holiday accommodation sites. So if you need a little extra income, take a look at what your property might be able to offer you as an income.

Using the Internet to Help Your Business

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In today’s digital age, using the internet is critical if you’re running a business. It can help make your operations known not only in your immediate location, but around the world as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Using the Internet to Help Your Business.

* * *

No matter the size of the business that you work for, whether you work from home, have a small business, or work for (or are in charge of) a large corporation, there won’t be one day that goes by that you don’t use the internet for your business. It is a vital part of the day-to-day running of your business, but it can also be used as a really important tool to help promote your business and to grow your business. In fact, there are so many ways that you can use the internet for your business, that it can seem quite endless, and as a result, it can be a little overwhelming.

So if you want to know how to use the internet in the best way for your business, then starting small and staying simple will help you to use the internet in the best way to make the business more efficient. One of the last things that you want is to make sure that everything is used daily so that it can pack the biggest marketing and promotional punch. Here are some of the ways that can make a difference.

image

Set up a business page on multiple sites

If you have an established business with some loyal customers already, then it is important to encourage them to leave some positive reviews on various sites that you can register with. It helps to validate your business. Use sites like Google to list your business, as well as sites like Yelp and other local business finding sites, like how Interstate Dry Wall is listed on local business finder pages. These sites are great to help you to advertise your business, and it allows you to list things like your location and business phone number so it can help potential customers.

Take advantage of email marketing

If you are able to keep your current and past business clients and customers informed about what your business has been doing or latest information and deals, then it can really pay off. It can help to create a good relationship with customers and clients, and it means that it is more likely that they will use your business again in the future. You could send out a weekly email, or perhaps less often like a monthly email. You can also really personalize what you send out, so that it can be personal for a customer’s birthday or deals over certain holidays, and so on. You can also track who opens emails and who doesn’t, if you use a newsletter subscriber, so you can measure the success of them.

Use Social Media

Social media has risen and grown over the past decade or so, and there is no sign of it slowing down. So are you making the most of sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, for example. It is important to make sure that you don’t use too many sites, as you won’t be able to manage all of them to a good standard. So think about your ideal customers and the sites that they would use, and then you can go from there.

3 Commandments Of Successful Video Marketing

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Video Content/Media Creation. Writing is not the only form of content creation. In our modern Digital Age, video content creation has become just as prominent as traditional written content. If done correctly, it can prove to be very lucrative and powerful. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Commandments Of Successful Video Marketing.

* * *

Pixabay (CC0 Licence)

The importance of video content in marketing has been one of the most-discussed subjects in business over the last few years. Around the middle of the decade, you couldn’t go more than a few minutes without hearing the phrase “pivot to video”; and indeed, plenty of content providers went out of their way to leave behind text – only to later find out that this was a mistake when it actually led to declining page views. Slowly but surely, the message that seems to be filtering out of the content world is that video is important – but what’s really important is how it is used.

If you’re aiming to put content out there that people will want to use, and share, then – as well as not relying purely on video content – you also need to make sure that the videos you do make are engaging and memorable. So let’s take a look at the commandments of video content – the rules you’ll need to stick to for your content to be successful:

#1. Make it unique

As the decade draws to a close, we are seeing more and more people becoming celebrities purely off the back of video content – which draws more and more viewers to the platforms they use. That’s an opportunity for anyone creating video content to harness a potentially huge customer base – as long as your content doesn’t fade into the background. Make it visually arresting by working with the likes of Zaini Media to create memorable animations – and because even something as simple as the video thumbnail can make a difference to views, consider how you can make images that stand out from the crowd.

#2. Be an engaged creator

One of the internet’s unspoken commandments is “Don’t read the comments”. It’s an understandable rule, too – anyone online who so much as breathes a personal opinion into cyberspace can end up at the mercy of trolls – but it’s one you might need to break if you want your content to win people over. In fact, not only should you read the comments, you should reply. Before too long you’ll be able to filter out the useless comments, and engage with the people who are there for the right reason; this is how you build subscriptions and get more visibility. That is the kind of growth that can be self-sustaining.

#3. Be topical, but don’t be controversial

If your niche is in the news for whatever reason, this is the ideal time to make and release a quick video offering your informed take on the news story. If, for example, your niche happens to be in the “healthy eating” field, and a story emerges about a new “superfood”, you can make a video offering the benefits of your knowledge. The more topical the story, the better the possibility your video will go viral. Just one word of warning; step away from more controversial treatments of any subject, as these can cause videos to be downranked and demonetised. That may bring worthwhile attention if you’re a topical channel, but it’s the death-knell for marketing content.

These three commandments are among the most important things to remember when trying to make an impact with your video marketing content. Stick to these rules and you won’t go too far wrong!

Is Your Business Secure Enough Online?

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. No matter what kind of business you’re operating, cyber-attacks can threaten business at any time if the appropriate measures are not taken. The following contributed post is entitled, Is Your Business Secure Enough Online.

* * *

Image Credit

It might sound obvious, but it’s important to keep your business safe. Anyone who runs their own business knows how important security can be. But the truth is, the day-to-day running of a business can make it easy to forget that simple fact. Security is often something that takes place behind the scenes which can make it easy to neglect. Making sure that doesn’t happen is of particular importance these days because of one simple thing: the internet. It used to be that you only had to worry about the physical security of your business. But now there is so much business conducted online that it has opened up whole new areas of risk. Without the proper security online, your business can be in real danger. Luckily, just as new threats arise, new services appear to combat them. Here are some ways to keep your business safe online.

Set up a secure firewall

You wouldn’t leave the doors to your business unlocked at night, would you? Then why do the same with your online presence? Malware is software that is designed to infiltrate and attack computers and networks. This can do untold damage to your business, even going so far as to destroy it. That’s why it’s so important to get your security up to scratch. Set up firewalls beyond the one’s that come with your router. There are plenty of firewall services that will kelp you to keep up with malware’s increasing complexity.

Back it all up

Few business owners would imagine a situation worse than logging on to see that an enormous amount of vital information has disappeared. The idea of files and data simply vanishing is the stuff of nightmares to most businesses. That’s what makes it even more surprising just how often companies neglect to back up their valuable data. Making sure that you’re backing up your data means that if the worst should happen then, you can easily retrieve it. There are plenty of backup services available and which one you choose will come down to your business.

Filter out spam emails

If you’re running a business online then it’s likely that you’re going to sending and receiving a lot of emails. The last thing you want is for spam to be cluttering up your inbox making it that much harder to find what you’re looking for. Antispam software is an excellent way to clean up your emails and reduce risk and distractions for yourself and employees. Running emails through verification to ensure that senders are who they say they are is a crucial step in upping your email security. It’s also a good idea to reach out to companies that can help you stop spam emails. And it’s always important to encrypt your emails. Unencrypted emails is basically a buffet for hackers and cyber criminals

Whether you’re working on your own or as part of a team the first step to improving security is improving your own practices. Making sure that you’re staying safe online will make keeping your business secure that much easier. Avoid accessing potentially dangerous sites at work. Keep your passwords updated regularly. Don’t click any suspicious looking emails. These simple things really will go a long way to protecting you and your business. Plus, if you’re showing safe online behavior, your employees are that much more likely to follow suit.

How to Improve the Ambience of Your Office

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. A key focus is Professional Development and Skills. No matter what kind of organization you’re running, managing and operating your office space is key. Your office space can impact your employee’s productivity both positively and negatively. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Improve the Ambience of Your Office.

* * *

Your office is more than just a space to get some work done. It’s an extension of your company and plays a direct role in how well your employees are able to work. As such, it’s in your interests to cultivate a positive working environment. Not only will it make going to work more enjoyable for you and your staff, but it’ll also help to boost productivity, and help to give your visitors a positive impression of your business, too. We take a look at a few tried and tested methods for doing this below.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Set the Tone

The ambience of the office stems from you, the boss. When you walk into an office, you can normally tell pretty quickly whether it’s a happy office or not. Whichever it is, it’ll be because of the person in charge. If you want to create a positive environment, then you’ll need to bring the positivity. The best way to do this is to work on yourself and make sure that you’re a good boss. If you’re viewing your staff as people, not robots, then you’ll be on the right path.

Hire Pleasant Employees

Of course, while you can help to create a pleasant environment, it’s worth remembering that your staff is going to have a big role in the overall atmosphere, too. You might do all you can to push it in the right direction, but if you have staff members who are not interested in bringing the positivity, then you’ll run into trouble. So how do you get around this? By hiring pleasant employees. Talent and experience do count for a lot, but they’d have to be pretty special if they’re not going to bring a cheery attitude, too. When it comes to interviewing, consider their ‘pleasant factor’ before offering the job. It really will have an impact on how nice the office can be.

Tidy and Spacious

Of course, you could hire the nicest people in the world, but if the office is dark, dingy, and dirty, then it’s not going to be a pleasant atmosphere. The people are only one component of the ambience. So take a look at making your space more enjoyable to be in by making it spacious and clean. You can add more space by getting rid of any old documents and other belongings that you don’t need (you can throw them away, or put them into storage). To keep things clean and tidy, hire a company such as Southern Cross Cleaning. They’ll ensure that your space is neat and organized, without disturbing your staff or operations.

A Touch of Color

Finally, take a look at the decor of the office. There’s nothing wrong with the old, boring grey decor, but there’s not a whole lot right with it, either. You can liven things up by adding some color to proceedings, be it through the choice of paint for the walls, works of art, or by adding plants and flowers. It’ll help to make the space especially inspiring.

Managing A Busy Home And Helping You To Stay Sane

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Health and Wellness. Keeping our homes properly running is a job all in itself. With careers and in some instances having additional commitments and tasks can make managing a home a gargantuan task. The following contributed post is entitled, Managing A Busy Home And Helping You To Stay Sane.

* * *

When it comes to the home, we can all feel a little overwhelmed and lose our minds with bills, tasks and keeping things running smoothly. However, no matter how hard you try, life can always be a busy and hectic. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to manage a busy home effectively.

Image source – Pixabay – CC0 License

Stay on top of the bills

When it comes to a busy home, it is understandable that the finances can get a little ignored over time. This is when you tend to let things leave your account, or just let a direct debit run its course without realising that you could be making a saving. This is when it is vital to ensure that you get regular checks such as energy deals and car insurance quotes to ensure that you are always paying the best possible price.

The food bill is one of those weekly or monthly expenses that we need to have, but we also have complete control over. As a mom, this job can often be down to us, so it’s important to ensure that you manage it right, rather than overspend. After all, every little saved can be put towards other things like vacations or days out. If you find that the food bill is getting a little out of control, then consider writing a list before you head to the shops. Changing the supermarket in which you shop in, or even consider batch cooking or meal planning as an alternative habit.

Create a cleaning schedule

Cleaning is one of the biggest pet hates of many people. No matter how hard you try, it can often feel like huge task each and every time you take it on. However, there is a solution to this dilemma, and it can help you manage the cleaning activities for your home, rather than feel drowned by them. Creating a cleaning schedule can help you keep on top of the chores in your home. From the things that need to be done daily such as cleaning surfaces or wiping down toilets, to weekly and monthly chores, it will help you keep accountable for what needs doing, and also help you manage it more consistently. It helps to spread the jobs out over the course of a week and a month which means that the tasks themselves shouldn’t feel too demanding on your day, and subsequently should free up more time for you as a mom.

Delegate chores

While on the subject of cleaning and managing your home this shouldn’t be something that is left solely to you, no wonder many of us can feel too overwhelmed by the task at hand. It’s important to delegate some jobs. Children as young as four can be accountable for their own bedrooms or make their beds. Older children can put their clothes away and even take on some of the general chores like vacuuming or dusting the furniture. You can ask your partner to take on some other chores like putting the bins out or doing some of the bigger tasks like cleaning windows or clearing out the gutters. There are plenty of jobs that can be shared amongst the family and this can really take some of the stress away from you, freeing up time to do other things that will ultimately be helpful towards you family and your home.

Let’s hope these tips help you to manage a busy home.

John U. Bacon presents his new book, Overtime, to Michigan’s D.C. Alumni Club

On November 7, 2019, the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Greater Washington, DC hosted author John U. Bacon for a discussion and signing of his new book entitled, Overtime: Jim Harbaugh and The Michigan Wolverines – At The Crossroads of College Football. The event took place at the Baker-Hostetler Law Firm in Northwest Washington, DC. It started with a registration, followed by an initial book signing. Mr. Bacon then gave a detailed discussion of the genesis of his latest book, followed by an overview of its story.

Overtime looks inside the Michigan Football Program under the leadership of Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, who took over its reins in 2015. As with many of Mr. Bacon’s books, it discusses the nuances and challenges in competing in big-time college football for the coaching staffs, the players and the institutions themselves. Overtime specifically chronicles the Wolverines’ 2018 season starting with their opener at Notre Dame and then through to their crushing 2018 loss to Ohio State; and then finally their season ending loss to Florida in the 2019 Peach Bowl.

In Overtime Mr. Bacon discusses the challenges of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure in which he has yet to beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten Conference and qualify for the College Football Playoff. He gives a look into Jim Harbaugh’s life and upbringing and the many events that made him who he is today. The book further tells the stories of players within the program including: Rashan Gary, Devin Bush, Karan Higdon, Noah Furbush and Shea Patterson.

I arrived at the signing after Mr. Bacon started his discussion. I walked in as he was discussing former offensive tackle, Grant Newsome, whose parents, Leon and Kim, were in attendance. Newsome was one of Jim Harbaugh’s most promising prospects, a ‘game changer’ whose mere presence on the field would’ve likely changed the fortunes of his teammates and the coaching staff were it not for a career-ending leg injury early in the 2016 season. I won’t give the entire story away, but I will share that Coach Harbaugh honored Newsome’s scholarship who continues to be involved with the football program, highlighting two of the greatest pillars of the program which are its integrity and loyalty to its student athletes.

I received Overtime as a birthday present from my mother (pictured below) and it’s been a joy to read. At the end of his talk, Mr. Bacon acknowledged his audience for supporting his work over the years. When he took questions, I asked him how likely Athletic Director, Warde Manuel, was to fire Coach Harbaugh to placate half of our rabid fanbase. Mr. Bacon responded that the it was unlikely as the program itself is healthier than it’s ever been (see Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football).

“Harvard doesn’t care if their team wins! Alabama doesn’t care how their team wins!” Mr. Bacon uttered the same words he used when he released Endzone three years earlier regarding how the football program is run and the ‘Michigan way’. What I gathered from Mr. Bacon at the end of the night was that despite the angst surrounding the football program on the field, the best thing would be for the Michigan fans to sit tight and let things play out. In doing so, we will likely ultimately get what we want, and it will come without scandals or violations of any kind, keeping with the values of the program and the school.

“I’m hoping this will be my last book on Michigan Football,” Mr. Bacon said afterwards while signing my copy.

“Well John, you must have at least one more left as the story isn’t over yet,” I said to him.

“You know what? You’re right,” he replied, laughing.

I first heard about John U. Bacon as a graduate student at the University of Michigan from 1999 to 2005. There I regularly listened to the “Ticket 1050 AM-WTKA” where I heard all the latest news and commentaries on Michigan sports while working in my graduate research lab. It was lots of fun listening to it all, especially during football season. The knowledge of the on-air personalities and the passion of the callers, many of whom called daily was unlike anything I’d heard before.

I later found that John was a fixture at the University. In addition to his coverage of Michigan Football as a member of the media, he also served as a faculty member, sometimes teaching some of the student-athletes in his classes. As an Ann Arbor native, he had a deep knowledge of the history of the University of Michigan’s athletics – particularly its storied football program.

John U. Bacon has become the official historian of Michigan football. He has authored numerous books, many capturing the history of the University of Michigan’s storied football program, and the current state of college football including:

• Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football;
• Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football;
• Three and Out: Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines in the Crucible of College Football and;
• Bo’s Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership.

Mr. Bacon’s previous two books are: Playing Hurt, which was co-written with ESPN’s John Saunders; and The Great Halifax Explosion in which the story’s main hero is the University of Michigan’s first hockey coach. To learn more about John U. Bacon, his books, and speaking engagements, go to: www.johnubacon.com.

A special thank you is extended to the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Greater Washington, DC for allowing me to cover John U. Bacon’s 2019 visit. Thank you also to John U. Bacon for chronicling the vast and notable history of Michigan’s Football Program.

The University of Michigan Alumni Club of Greater Washington, DC hosts many events throughout the year for its alumni, in addition to its sports game watches, for which the University and its alumni are well known. If you are a University of Michigan alumnus in the Washington, DC metro area and would like to keep up with the club’s events, please go to www.umdc.org. GO BLUE!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you’ve found value here and think it would benefit others, please share it and or leave a comment. To receive all the most up to date content from the Big Words Blog Site, subscribe using the subscription box in the right-hand column in this post and throughout the site. Lastly, follow me on Twitter at @BWArePowerful, on Instagram at @anwaryusef76 and on the Big Words Blog Site Facebook page. Lastly, please visit my YouTube channel entitled, Big Discussions76 where I discuss Michigan Football in addition to a host of other topics. While my main areas of focus are Education, STEM and Financial Literacy, there are other blogs/sites I endorse which can be found on that particular page of my site.

5 Quick Things You Can Do To Make Your Business More Successful

The first principle of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As a business owner you should always be looking to improve. Your continual evolution will set you well above your competitors. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Quick Things You Can Do To Make Your Business More Successful.

* * *

If you want to make your business more successful, there are a few things you can do to make this happen. Below, you’ll find 5 quick things you can do to make your business more successful – take a look:

Post More Content
If you don’t currently post enough content, then it goes without saying that this is the first thing you should work on. Content marketing is extremely powerful, and you can create it in a number of ways. You could make videos, write blog posts, and even start a podcast. Add value and share your expertise.
Start Conversations On Social Media
Start and get involved in important conversations on social media. The more conversations you start, the more people will get involved. People will likely remember you, too!
Run Competitions
Run competitions and make sure the prizes are awesome. People love entering competitions online and you will likely increase your audience tenfold.
Give Customers an Incentive To Come Back
Make sure your customers have a good incentive to come back. You can do this by providing unbeatable customer service, but also by giving them a discount code or deal exclusively for them. Make them an offer that they can’t refuse.
Give Away Branded Items
Branded items are an ideal item to give your customers. Branded bags, for example, are something that will come in handy many times while also letting people know that your business exists. The infographic below can tell you more:

credit to BagzDepot