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New York , March 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

About Proactive

With six offices on three continents and a team of experienced business journalists and broadcasters, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives engage intelligently with investors.

Proactive s platform delivers the right message to the right audience, digitally and in real time, leveraging a range of media, investment research, digital investor targeting and website development services to support over 1,000 fast-growing companies globally.

Proactives network reaches over 12 million engaged private, professional and institutional investors looking for opportunities.

Our written and video content is published on Proactive sites that collectively attract up to 10 million views per month.

We syndicate our content to hundreds of mainstream and specialist news sites that expand our reach into networks that can be difficult for press releases to penetrate.

We custom build corporate websites from the ground up, empowering clients and their brands with a modern online presence and the latest insight on effective SEO strategy.

Our news coverage ranks high on the worlds most popular search platforms, and we can further amplify online presence and outreach with sophisticated digital investor targeting.

We help the world understand what makes companies stand out from the crowd with in-depth investment research from a team of experienced analysts.

For more information on how Proactive can help you make a difference, email us at action@proactiveinvestors.com

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Proactive news headlines including BTU metals, PlantX Life, Hill Street Beverage Company and Victory Resources - StreetInsider.com

No matter how you look at it, 35 percent is a huge number of small businesses that have either temporarily or permanently closed their doors because of COVID-19.

Maybe we shouldn't be surprised. After all,aren't lockdowns and business closings something that we've seen in far too much abundance over the last year? I just finished reading a piece in Fortune that pointed out that more than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments in the United States closed for business (temporarily or permanently) last year, with nearly 2.5 million jobsbeing wiped out from pre-pandemic levels. And that's only last year. 2021's numbers should be equally or more frightening.

A recent poll of small business owners taken by the U.S. Census'Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS) says that about 53% of small business owners dont expect to return to pre-Covid operations for at least the next six months...assuming they do at all.

CNBC.com:

On average across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, only 26% of small businesses have at least three months of cash readily available, which is the minimum amount generally recommended as a safety net.

Let's shift our focus back to Illinois and that 35 percent of closed small businesses. Illinois Policy Institute has a piece up at their website that breaks down some of the numbers from Opportunity Insights Economic Trackerthat shows the 35 percent of closed businesses in Illinois ismore than any other Midwestern state except Michigan (38.2%). Illinois massive decline in the number of small businesses is eighth worst in the nation.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that help is on the way for Illinois businesses, as Governor Pritzker is continuing to pursue new taxes totaling up to nearly a billion dollars on small businesses.

IllinoisPolicy.org:

The move was decried by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Republicans because Pritzker is not closing unfair loopholes as he claimed, but rather trying to take back a deal he made early in his term for key tax incentives and deductions intended to create jobs.Pritzker is also rumored to be pursuing the cancellation a pandemic recovery tax credit for small businesses that would have taken from $500 million to $1 billion more from them as they struggle to recover.

The rest is here:
Study: 35% Of Illinois Small Businesses Remain Closed Due To Pandemic - 1440wrok.com

Are you an established optometrist who is looking to start their own practice? Or have you already launched your clinic and are looking for ways to grow your business? In either case, you must have already realized that running an optometry practice requires more than sound medical knowledge.

Heres the thing medical school only equips you with the right skills and knowledge to excel as an OD. But you barely learn a thing about building and managing your optometry practice. Nevertheless, you must devise a way to attract and retain patients, as well as amplify your revenue.

Otherwise, your business will fail to find its footing amidst other modern optometry practices. The good news is that growing your optometry business isnt rocket science. With new-age digital marketing and communication tools, its become easier than ever to promote your business to the right patients and boost patient loyalty.

All you need is the willingness to hone your business skills and the vision to propel your business to success. In other words, you should outline strategies to advertise your products and services, increase patient satisfaction, and motivate your staff.

In this blog, weve curated a few powerful techniques thatll help you take your optometry business to greater heights. Lets take a look.

First things first the fate of your optometry practice doesnt solely depend on your skills and expertise as an OD. You must first understand that youre running a business. This, in turn, means you need to sharpen your entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

From business registration and tax filing to marketing and profit management you must be well-versed with various aspects of business management. Also, youll have to learn to delegate various tasks to staff members.

If you arent familiar with the nitty-gritty of running a business, its a good idea to join a short-term course to learn the basics. Or you could hire a business advisor who can handhold you through the process of launching and promoting your practice.

When running an optometry practice, it can be a challenge to do so on your own. We all need a support network at some point, and your business is no different. Connecting with an organization like PECAA can make the difference between getting by comfortably and feeling like its a constant fight.

You get to be a part of a thriving community of eye care professionals and access a wide array of tools and resources to grow your business. From marketing and training support to financial consulting and vendor rebates PECAA provides you with effective guidance at every step of running your optometry practice.

Patients are the lifeblood of your optometry business. Thats why it is essential to adopt a patient-centric approach that prioritizes client satisfaction and happiness. Whether a patient needs a routine eye exam or a special procedure, make sure you deliver a pleasant and seamless experience.

Start by ensuring flawless communication between your patients and staff members. Make sure you resolve all queries at every step of their treatment. Its a good idea to set up an online portal to provide patients with the necessary information and updates about their treatment.

This is crucial because ensuring ongoing communication between physicians and patients using online portals and apps helps boost engagement rates by at least 60%. Provide them with prompt and helpful customer support. Also, conduct patient satisfaction surveys to seek feedback from your existing patients.

Its just as important to create a striking first impression and make your patients comfortable at the clinic. Simple additions, such as a coffee machine and water dispenser in the waiting area, can go a long way to set your business apart from other optometry practices.

The quality of patient care your clinic provides will depend on the skills and motivation levels of your staff members. As a ground-rule, you should provide them with adequate training to excel at their job.

Also, you need to conduct regular team meetings and gathering to share your vision and make sure theyre on the same page. Hosting staff appreciation days and rewarding them for their hard work will motivate them to go out of their way to fulfill their responsibilities.

You cant build a business with a rock-solid marketing strategy. To begin with, you need a well-designed website that showcases your services and amenities. Also, you should build an active presence on various social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Its a good idea to start a blog and publish original, insightful content to position your business as an industry authority. Leverage social media ads and search engine optimization to further increase your reach and target more patients.

Do you have any other useful business management and marketing tips for optometrists? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

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See the article here:
Running Your Optometry Business - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

A digital marketing company which lured some of the brightest brains in the business from Leeds back to Hull is bucking the trend again by expanding under lockdown with new recruits and new clients.

43 Clicks North opened its office at The Deep Business Centre in Hull in August 2019 with just five people, and as numbers grew managing director Mike Ellis made the decision to find the company a new home all to itself.

The complications of COVID-19 were such that by the time the company left The Deep in November 2020 it had a workforce of 12, all working from home.

But the recruitment continued, and by the time 43 Clicks takes the keys for its new office in the Old Town of Hull next month it will have 17 people with more on the way.

It will also have a work-from-home strategy which is likely to take the complement of staff beyond the planned capacity of the building.

Ellis said: Weve taken on five new people since we left The Deep, and four of those have joined since the start of this year.

We expect to hire another two or three after we occupy the new building in April and we think well be able to fit about 35 in there but with a rota which enables us to have a few more on the payroll.

Two of the recent recruits have joined from other tech firms in Leeds and are likely to stay in their home city and work remotely. Others have relocated from West Yorkshire to East Yorkshire, as Ellis and his colleagues did when they arrived at The Deep.

The expansion has been driven by the companys success in securing deals with seven new clients since November.

Ellis added: We came back to Hull to work and to build a digital community and weve surprised ourselves we thought that 20 people would be enough and we would hit that level and stay at The Deep.

But we found somewhere just for us because the business kept growing with new business and up-sales we exceeded our turnover from last year in just over three months from our year-end in November.

:::

Digital marketing agency Ascensor is scaling up its digital apprenticeships in partnership with The Coders Guild.

It is also creating ten leadership and management apprenticeships, delivered through Pareto.

MD Andrew Firth said: Training and development is a vital part of Ascensors business philosophy and growth strategy.

We develop and build Ecommerce websites and apps for successful businesses.

The digital sector is fast moving, and we always want to demonstrate that we are at the leading edge when it comes to the skills of our people.

Over recent years, Leeds-based Ascensor has supported many interns, undergraduates and apprentices across all areas of their business, including technical development, digital marketing and business development.

It is working with The Coders Guild to support its recruitment and training of developers and testers.

Firth added: The Coders Guild is a well-respected training provider with nine years experience designing and delivering high quality digital training.

They have helped to create national standards for digital apprenticeships, and we are delighted to be working with them.

The Coders Guild will help us to deliver and accredit our Level 3 and Level 4 Apprenticeship programmes. Our involvement with them dovetails perfectly with our current recruitment for a trainee website tester.

The agency is also providing leadership and management apprenticeship training for five team leaders, with another five planned in six months time. It is delivering these programmes in partnership with Pareto.

Firth said: We want to equip our team members with the skills to become the team leaders and managers of tomorrow.

We chose Pareto because their Operational Management Apprenticeship programme is designed to deliver the core competency requirements in a range of important areas, such as leading and managing people, communication, operational management, and performance management.

Since 80% of the learning is undertaken on the job, this is a relevant and valuable skills programme for our people.

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Leeds-based digital-first creative agency Rascal has expanded with the appointment of two senior roles to the team.

In a newly created position, Stephanie Pullen joins as head of digital strategy.

Previously with Brilliant Agency where she worked across creative strategy for clients including Very Lazy, Newmans Own, Yorkshire Provender and Mighty Pea; Pullen is now responsible for coordinating the overall strategic direction and growth of Rascal.

JJ Amos has taken up the head of design role, overseeing the execution of all campaigns and client work across creative, copywriting and videography.

Amos has previously held senior design and art director roles at agencies including Brilliant and Twentythree04.

Rascal founder, Joe Costandi, said: Im so pleased to have JJ and Steph as part of the Rascal team. Were in a strong growth phase and these positions are vital to our business, putting us in a perfect position to push ourselves even harder on our ambitious plans.

JJ and Steph bring a wealth of ideas and creativity with them and will be working with me to strengthen the team over the coming months.

:::

Consumer electronics company, Casio, has appointed performance marketing agency Journey Further to handle its performance marketing activity.

The appointment will see Journey Further, which has offices in Leeds, Manchester and London, manage PPC and SEO for the Japanese brand, with a focus on growing consumer sales of its timepiece range, including the iconic G-Shock watch.

The agencys remit will also include driving sales for Casios range of musical instruments and calculators.

Danny Power, ecommerce and digital manager at Casio, said: We are in a process of digital transformation and as such weve grown significantly in this area over the past few years.

We appointed Journey Further to supercharge our search growth and they impressed us with their flexible, data-driven approach. Its been a fantastic start to the partnership.

Chris Rowett, paid media director at the agency, said: Were really excited to be working with Casio, a brand with a fantastic range of products that are sold all over the world.

Our strong ecommerce experience combined with our data-led approach provides the perfect platform to help grow Casios consumer sales across a number of different products.

Go here to read the rest:
Agency roundup: 43 Clicks North; Ascensor; Rascal Creative; and more | TheBusinessDesk.com - The Business Desk

SEO News ItemsAct 34

On June 5, 2020, Act 34 was signed into law as an amendment to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P.S. 750)(SFA). Act 34 of 2020 amended sections of the SFA that were previously amended by Act 26 of 2017; specifically, sections 5(c.1) and 5(c.2). On March 2, 2021, an All SEO Letter was sent to clarify the Departments expectation of what municipalities should do with proposals for new land development that they have already received and that were submitted based on the draft Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act Program Guidance; Site Suitability and Alternatives Analysis Guidelines for New Land Development Proposing On lot Sewage Disposal (385-2207-001) (Planning Guidance) that was developed in response to Act 26 of 2017. The letter contains important deadlines for sewage planning proposals and can be found under the All SEO Letters heading on this webpage. The Department is working on additional guidance to address specific items associated with the implementation of the SFA as amended by Act 34 of 2020. This guidance will be forthcoming in another All SEO Letter.

The SEO Certification and Training Program Guidance (385-2314-002) has been revised. It was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on December 12, 2020, as final. The Technical Guidance Document (TGD) and the Comment and Response Document is now posted in the Departments eLibrary and also accessible via the link below under the heading SEO Training Program. The TGD provides a framework for the Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) certification and training program with the goal of producing a knowledgeable and skilled SEO community to help administer the on-lot sewage program in Pennsylvania. The program includes criteria for SEO candidates who wish to become certified SEOs, criteria for certified SEOs to maintain their SEO certification, and criteria for lapsed or inactive SEOs who wish to reinstate their SEO certification. In response to public comments on the draft TGD, changes were made, including: several clarifications; providing for up to three continuing education credits to be carried over from one certification cycle to the next certification cycle; and providing options to test out of the precertification soils course. Changes of note:

The Department recently received an inquiry from a local agency regarding the charging of a fee for a Sewage Enforcement Officer to conduct a complaint investigation. We have been advised by DEP's regulatory counsel that the imposition of such a fee is not sanctioned by the Sewage Facilities Act and is not one of the powers and duties granted to municipalities by the legislature. Please consult with your regional DEP office if you have any questions in this regards.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) entered into a joint policy in June 1996 (modified December 2002) regarding privies, holding tanks, and water supplies under pressure for existing leased campsites on state lands. To further provide clarification to SEOs and campsite Lessees of the obligations under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and DEP's and DCNR's regulations regarding sewage disposal on leased campsites, DEP and DCNR have partnered to develop this new fact sheet.

On April 16, 2015, the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to share data developed to document the performance of advanced onsite pretreatment units for nitrogen reduction. This will simplify and expedite the approval processes for these technologies in each individual state, and reduce costs to residents and manufacturers. Prior to this MOC, all states nationwide approved systems on an individual basis, and many do not take data collected by other state programs into account.

The benefits of data sharing include:

These advanced treatment systems reduce nitrogen loading by an average minimum of 50 percent. Onsite systems are the smallest source of nutrient loading to the Bay at 3-4% according to the modeling efforts at the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

As a result of recent inquiries from SEOs regarding conflicts of interest, please follow this legal directive (PDF) if conditions apply.

Note: The following All SEO Letters were sent via electronic mail. If you did not receive any of these letters, please contact RA-SEOtrng@pa.gov to update your email address and request which letter you would like to be resent.

State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officer

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Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEO)