Business Archives - The Houston 100

Loans of the future

Acquiring a personal loan is easier than ever with the help of BBVA Compass.

BBVA Compass is changing the landscape of personal loans with the introduction of its fully digital BBVA Compass Express Personal Loans. The new technology offers nearly instantaneous decisioning and potential same-day funding for BBVA customers and non-customers alike. This opportunity, which represents months of effort, underscores BBVA Compass’ drive toward digital transformation and achieving excellence in customer experience.

“There is a clear demand on the part of consumers for personal loans,” said Executive Director of Consumer Lending Shayan Khwaja. “This demand represents an opportunity for banks to demonstrate their own digital prowess and ability to serve the customer.”

Business

Why adaptable employees have an edge in today’s workplace

Sarah Gibson of Accent Learning and Consulting explains why adaptability is a key skill in today's workplace.

The ability to adapt to rapidly changing work situations and the flexibility to overcome obstacles is a game-changer.

Why employers want it: Today’s fast-paced business environment requires employees who are open to change, willing to take initiative and don’t get emotionally sidetracked when plans go awry. “Adaptable employees can manage conflict and change more effectively,” says Sarah Gibson of Accent Learning and Consulting, based in Wisconsin.

How to gain it: Become a continuous learner. Embrace change. Seek ongoing development opportunities to help you stay relevant in an ever-changing business world. “It’s a lifelong learning process,” says Gibson.

– Rebecca Konya, The Wisconsin 100

LEARN

BBVA helps take small businesses to new heights

And the winner is ... BBVA Compass is awarded at Greenwich Excellence Awards for Small Business Banking.

BBVA Compass has been recognized for its outstanding service & attention to small businesses by the Small Business Administration. One of the four small business banking winners recognized, BBVA Compass sets itself apart through “the passion of [its] employees,” said BBVA Compass Small Business Banking Executive Elizabeth Dobers.

BBVA Compass understands small businesses contribute to thriving communities; its clients agree. At least 50 clients responded to the survey, enabling BBVA Compass to meet requirements for national awards.

Greenwich Associates, a market intelligence provider for the financial industry, has presented the “Proactively Provides Advice” award to BBVA Compass three times since 2016.

Business

What type of manager are you?

Are you more in the weeds or in the sky? Studies say both styles are great, in moderation.

Business leaders can be overwhelmed by the myriad of managing styles. Inc. reports it may be possible to narrow it down to two thinking patterns: management- and leadership-focused.

The former is detail oriented, focused on the day-to-day activities, while the latter is known for its big ideas and blue-sky thinking. Which is better?

The answer is, of course, both. Prioritizing both the streamlined management of employees while also reaching for the stars is paramount to success. Every manager needs a detail-oriented yin to her vision-setting yang, whether in herself or through a trusted partner.

– Sarah H. Centorino, The New Orleans 100

Business

Tips to improve an online newsroom

According to a survey by TEKgroup, a leading online newsroom provider, more than half of journalists visit online newsrooms at least once a week.

For companies, creating a “newsroom” on your website with information for journalists gives media outlets information they need in one convenient place.

A quality online newsroom makes a journalist’s job easier. To get one started for your site:

– Provide a background on the company’s history.

– Add links to up-to-date media coverage and news releases on the site.

– Create a form for journalists to sign up for email news alerts.

– Make sure all social media accounts are linked.

An important key in getting accurate coverage is ensuring that journalists have the facts about your company and what it does.

– Missy Hurley MacFarlane, The Tampa Bay 100

Leadership

Is your job killing you?

Poor office habits and stress are negatively impacting our health and how we make decisions.

Prolonged sitting, working through lunch and stressful situations are all components of office jobs, and growing evidence suggests they are negatively impacting our health.

Stress alone contributes to $190 million in health care expenses annually and 120,000 deaths, according to Stanford University research. That makes anxiety related to work deadlier than diabetes.

But stress isn’t just impacting our physical health; it also affects how we make decisions. So it’s important to measure employees’ stress and how well they manage it.

And instead of staying quiet about workplace anxiety, people should be encouraged to speak up when they need help.

– Marty Petty, The MPETTY Group

Law

What to include in your company’s social media policy

What's your social media policy? Review it annually.

According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, most employers already have social media policies in place. However, in a world where the internet evolves daily, reviewing this policy each year is the best way to ward against potential liabilities.

Consider the following:

• Identification: Require employees to identify their company affiliation when communicating about the organization.
• Freedom of speech: Include a savings clause, which confirms for employees that the policy can’t restrict their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
• HR: Postings should be consistent with HR’s discrimination and harassment policies.
• Discipline: Clearly communicate the consequences of violating the policy.

– June Swanson, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott

LEARN

Changing the world, one business at a time

What if you tried paying for your groceries at Randall's with one of these giant checks ...

Social entrepreneurs across Texas are getting their chance in the spotlight thanks to BBVA Momentum, a program launched by BBVA Compass in 2011, which is designed to help social entrepreneurs scale up and expand their reach. This year, BBVA awarded cash prizes to three members of its inaugural US BBVA Momentum class.

Chad Houser of Dallas-based Cafe Momentum, a restaurant training platform for juvenile offenders, won the $50,000 top prize. Margo Baines of Houston-based Chicks With Class received $25,000 for second place, while Andy Lovley of Dallas-based Education Opens Doors won $5,000 for third.

public relations

Public relations trends to watch in 2018

Integration, innovation and insight will lead to communications success.

The communications landscape changes constantly with new innovations and techniques, and in 2018 companies must be prepared to keep up with the latest trends.

With newsrooms dwindling and lines blurred between earned and paid media, traditional media tactics should be refined. It’s more important than ever to include digital, social and paid aspects in any public relations campaign to ensure your message is heard by the right audience.

Fortunately, new metrics tools are on the rise to provide insight into consumer behavior and campaign effectiveness. IrisPR and SumAll are two great resources to drive results and maximize any PR strategy.

– Brianna Shoaf, The Tallahassee 100

LEARN

See what happens nexus

BBVA and KIPP Houston intersect at the nexus between education and opportunity.

It may seem an unlikely partnership, but this pairing is making a difference in the world of education. BBVA Compass and KIPP Houston Public Schools cut the ribbon this month on the charter school system’s newest campus: the BBVA Compass Opportunity Campus, home of KIPP NEXUS Primary School and KIPP NEXUS Middle School in northwest Houston.

The campus, which welcomed its inaugural classes in the fall, is the first KIPP campus nationwide to share its name with a corporate investor. The new campus provides hundreds of seats in KIPP Houston, which currently has a waiting list of over 10,000.

Business

Influencer marketing and your brand

Influencers can provide added credibility to your brand. (Photo courtesy of Erik Lucatero on Unsplash)

Influencer marketing is another buzzword heard within the sphere of the marketing industry, but it’s one with legs. Adding influencer marketing to clients’ marketing strategies can reap many tangible and intangible benefits.

• First, it’s important to find the right influencer. The right, like-minded person can help extend your reach where your business or brand can’t.

• B2B influencers are on the rise and it’s important to start thinking about this strategy and identifying the most influential B2B influencers.

• Marketing budgets are not what they used to be and it’s important to have a pricing structure in place before the meeting.

– Natalie Ghidotti, The Arkansas 100

LEARN

We Dig This Power Couple

The famous Ogden Theatre in Denver.

Proving two powerhouse companies are better than one, financial leader BBVA Compass and AEG — the world’s leading sports & live entertainment company — have officially cemented a multiyear agreement. The partnership will create new opportunities for BBVA customers across the country, including events, concerts and brand activations at some of AEG’s key venues.

The deal names BBVA Compass the exclusive banking partner across Denver’s Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre & Ogden Theatre as well as Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (Texas). The pairing allows the bank to expand its brand in the selected markets and also expands opportunities for clients and the communities it serves.

LEARN

Star on the Rise

Jennifer Dominiquini accepted the CMO Social Responsibility Award at the CMO Awards Dinner in New York City on November 14th.

A trailblazer is on the loose at BBVA Compass. The company’s Chief Marketing and Digital Sales Officer Jennifer Dominiquini was awarded the CMO Social Responsibility Award, which recognizes executives who are rising stars, demonstrate solid leadership, have innovative ideas, and execute creative storytelling, among others.

“It’s an honor for me and my team, who are creating opportunities for people every day, to be recognized for our efforts,” said Dominiquini. “Working for an institution like BBVA Compass allows us to not only bring a brand to life, but bring it to life for good causes that we all personally believe in.”

LEARN

A Venture for the Future of Health Care

Innovation is overflowing at the Texas Medical Center.

The Texas Medical Center (TMC), which is the largest medical complex in the world, recently announced the TMC Venture Fund, a $25 million initiative designed to support new technologies and propel early-stage companies to flourish in Houston’s thriving health care ecosystem.

Texas Medical Center unveiled the exciting announcement in front of an audience of more than 600 potential investors, hospital stakeholders, advisers and members of Houston’s innovation ecosystem at the annual TMCx Demo Day on November 8, 2017, at TMC’s Innovation Institute. The TMC Venture Fund Investment Committee selected the following inaugural 2017 recipients: ALLEVIANT, BRITESEED, CNSDOSE, MEDABLE, NONINVASIX.

Business

Bumble Bizz … the Next Great Way to Make Connections?

Bumble Bizz is the newest networking tool. Would you use your iPhone to network? (Photo courtesy of Bumble Bizz)

At Gambel Communications, we always stress the importance of creating great connections and meaningful relationships, whether with clients, colleagues or friends. Of course, creating these connections isn’t always easy, especially in today’s hyper-digital world.

Recently the well-known app Bumble released a new way to make professional connections in the digital space: Bumble Bizz. This new form of the app allows people to share their work and résumés with other professionals in the area on their phone. It also allows them to talk and network with relevant industry mentors. Is this the next wave of networking?

#ItsABraveNewWorld.

–Betsie Gambel, The New Orleans 100

Business

Living Your Values Gets Employees Engaged

To increase employee engagement, leadership needs to demonstrate its values.

According to Gallup, 70% of employees at U.S. companies feel disengaged.

One reason: many feel senior executives are out of touch with their employees. To increase engagement, employees need to believe in their employers’ stated values. It’s not an issue of whether employees know and understand their stated values, it’s that they don’t see those values being demonstrated.

It’s possible to measure the level of disengagement at your organization and dig deeper to identify sources and develop a plan to address those sources. When employees are fully engaged, they are motivated, committed and passionate in everything they do.

– Marty Petty, The MPETTY Group

Business Tips

Create an Impactful Corporate Video

Keep your videos short, sharp and well defined. (Photo courtesy of Premium Beat)

Video is by far the fastest growing marketing tactic in use today. So, what do you need to know to create an impactful corporate video?

1. Define your audience: Not everyone will like your product, so you need to communicate your unique value to a specific interested audience.

2. Show me, don’t tell me: Don’t just explain your product or service (snore), show people using and benefiting from it.

3. Keep it short and punchy: If your video drags on for more than 1.5 minutes with laborsome dialogue, your potential clients will lose interest in what you’re showing them.

– Ed Rowell, The Dubai 100

BANK ON THIS

BBVA Has Made Virtual Banking a Virtual Dream

BBVA is winning the online banking game. The only reason to go inside a bank anymore is for the lollipops.

BBVA Compass is making banking easier than ever before with virtual upgrades that are making waves across the financial landscape. It’s a development that was instrumental in helping the company become nationally recognized as a leader in Financial Fitness by independent firm Javelin Strategy & Research in its 2017 Online Banking Scorecard — an accolade given to only three financial institutions out of the 28 measured. With BBVA’s patent-pending Easy Payments and Transfer function — which majorly streamlines the digital transfer process — and the company’s digital money management and account aggregation tool, it’s easy to see why they’re leading the banking pack.

Business Tips

Tips for Beating Distractions in the Workplace

There are so many distractions around us. Follow these tips to stay productive around the clock.

Is it getting harder to focus at work? Computer notifications, phone alerts and our growing habit of responding in real time to any communication makes concentrating nearly impossible.

How can you cope?

• Focus time – schedule it daily. Don’t respond to emails, let your calls go to voicemail and shut your door.

• No more “got a minute?” meetings – managers should schedule office hours to process questions, approve work.

• Recharge! – consider a short, non-desk-side lunch. End the day with a personal system shut-down to be all-in next morning at the office.

Finally, model good behavior. Productivity will improve!

– Margrette Mondillo, The Boston 100

Management

There’s a New #GirlBoss in Town

A new BBVA Compass executive gives you more bank for your buck.

Beyonce said it best — “Who run the world? Girls!” This week we’re spotlighting a major #GirlBoss who is taking the financial world by storm with her latest promotion. Donette Stubblefield has taken over as BBVA Compass’ new Houston Market Global Wealth Executive, where she will lead all global wealth operations in the market.

She’s even gotten the endorsement of BBVA Compass Houston CEO Mark Montgomery, who describes Stubblefield as “an expert in the world of trusts, estates and assets solutions.”

Stubblefield will inherit top-tier partnerships with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston Symphony, the Houston Rockets and more.

Business Tips

How to Join the ‘Video-ification’ of the Internet

All consumers are captivated by video. Learn how to capitalize on this with tips from Tegna.

In 2016, video accounted for 67% of all internet traffic and will account for 80% of all internet traffic by 2021.

Roughly 70% of consumers view brands more positively after watching video content from them. Moreover, after watching an online video, 40% of consumers visited a store or website and 28% made a purchase.

Learn how to use online video to reach local consumers, including tips on how to:

– Increase your reach within targeted markets using OTT.

– Take advantage of social media algorithms that favor video.

– Experiment with Facebook Live.

– Showcase longer-form videos on your own website & YouTube Channel.

— Local Louisiana Marketing Blog, TEGNA Local Louisiana

BBVA Compass and the Houston Dynamo Are Giving Harvey the Boot

Watch the game live from BBVA Compass Stadium on Thursday, October 5, at 8PM.

Hurricane Harvey kicked Houston where it hurt. Now, the community is kicking back with a momentous soccer match.

On Thursday, October 5, the Houston Dynamo hosts Mexican football club Cruz Azul in the annual BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup.

This year, the nonprofit beneficiary is the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, and the charity match will be broadcast nationally for the first time ever in its nine-year history.

BBVA Compass and the Dynamo are hoping to raise $100,000. Tickets can be purchased online at www.houstondynamo.com; call 713-276-GOAL; or visit the BBA Compass Stadium ticket office.

Management

Generation Z Has Different Priorities

Generation Z makes up one-fourth of the U.S. population. Its oldest members are now in their early 20s.

Unlike millennials, Generation Z (born after 1995) grew up in uncertain times, so they have different priorities. This is important for employers to know, because members of Generation Z are now seeking their first jobs.

Three things to know about Generation Z employees:

– They like to communicate via social media. Post jobs via their preferred platforms: YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram.

– Company culture is important to them, so show you care about your employees.

– They seek stability. Discuss long-term career opportunities, even if it’s a part-time job.

To retain Generation Z employees, offer flexibility, growth opportunities and job security.

– Christina Norton, Revenue Management Solutions

GIVE

Mattress Mack for President

Will National Mattress Mack Day soon become a calendar staple?

All heroes don’t wear capes. No one proved this more than furniture magnate Jim McIngvale, better known as Mattress Mack. The Gallery Furniture proprietor stepped up in a big way during Hurricane Harvey, opening the doors of his popular furniture outpost as shelters for hundreds of evacuees displaced by Harvey.

In response to McIngvale’s generous efforts, a Change.org petition has launched to declare August 26 Mattress Mack Day in Houston. We can’t think of a better way to honor a local icon and hero. Add your signature here to help the petition reach its goal of 300,000 signatures.

media

Trust Issues Don’t Keep News Seekers Away

Reuters Institute and University of Oxford gathered information from over 70,000 online news consumers in 36 countries, including the US and UK, to develop the 2017 report.

How we consume the news, our trust in various sources, along with our preferences for obtaining news continues to evolve.

The 2017 Digital News Report published by Reuters suggests that the appetite for news is strong, with 54 percent of respondents saying their consumption will grow. However, there continues to be declining trust in social media, with only 28 percent of those polled trusting the source of the news stories shared by family, friends and colleagues. Only 10 percent say social media will be their primary source of news in the future.

Do your preferences match up with the report?

– Chuck Norman, APR, The North Carolina 100

Crisis Communications

Are You Crisis-Ready?

Always be prepared for a business crisis - they strike when you least expect it.

Is your team ready to respond to a crisis? The answer is NO if you answer “no” to more than three checklist items:

• We have established a crisis team and formal notification plan to key audiences.

• We have identified potential crisis situations and developed strategies for responding to each.

• We have appropriate social media plans for crisis communications, as necessary.

• At any hour, our crisis team knows how to contact each other.

• Our organization has a formal communications policy to provide media with information.

• Our spokesperson has received professional media training and is an integral part of our management team.

– Tara Frier, The Boston 100

Business

Accommodating New Mothers at Work

Woman wearing a tan pantsuit holding a baby wearing a pink onesie.

The time when a new mother returns to work after maternity leave is called the "Fifth Trimester."

Returning to work after having a child can be a challenging transition. Regardless of which state or federal workplace laws apply, employers should consider these best practices for welcoming back new mothers:

– Talk to expecting employees about how much leave they will take and whether they may need flexible work hours when they return.

– Consider increasing a new mother’s workload gradually instead of expecting her to return to work at full capacity.

– When possible, avoid scheduling meetings beyond normal work hours, especially without notice.

– Allow breaks for mothers to pump breast milk in a comfortable, private space – not a bathroom.

– Lisa McGlynn, Fisher Phillips