Education

Higher Education Preschool Primary/Secondary
News Release Digital Asset Direct

Classiq Unveils Comprehensive Suite of Quantum Applications on GitHub, Driving the Future of Quantum Computing Implementation

Classiq Technologies

Classiq, a pioneer in quantum computing software, today announced the launch of a comprehensive suite of quantum applications, algorithms, functions and tutorials, now publicly available in Classiq’s GitHub Repository. These algorithms and applications are all built with the Classiq platform and are open to the Classiq community. This groundbreaking release marks a significant milestone in the practical implementation of quantum computing, ensuring software advancements keep pace with the rapidly evolving quantum hardware landscape. Classiq developed the suite of new applications to empower the quantum community – as well as those investigating quantum – with an innovative approach to software development. The Classiq platform has been engineered to cater to a broad spectrum of industries, showcasing versatile applications in finance, logistics, quantum chemistry, cybersecurity and more. This extensive collection includes widely recognized quantum algorithms such as Shor, Grover and HHL, alongside a host of quantum functions critical for building robust quantum software. “Classiq’s mission is to enable building quantum programs, efficiently and at scale. This open repository places many of the common quantum programs at your fingertips,” said Amir Naveh, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Classiq. “This provides our users the best way to learn how to build something new with Classiq. We believe this helps the quantum community build better and smarter quantum algorithms, at an accelerated pace.” At the core of Classiq’s philosophy is the belief that quantum algorithms should first be conceptualized as models. This unique approach enables the creation of optimized, hardware-aware versions of these algorithms. With the new application suite, the quantum community can easily explore and adopt this novel methodology for quantum software creation. Classiq also ensures that all resources in the GitHub repository synchronize with the latest version of the Classiq platform, providing a seamless and hassle-free experience for users. The repository is rapidly growing, with monthly additions from Classiq’s team, users and the broader community, reflecting the dynamic nature of the quantum computing field. In fact, Classiq welcomes contributions from those keen on shaping the future of quantum software. Enthusiasts are encouraged to join the collaborative effort, contribute to the growing library of applications and algorithms and engage with the community for support and feedback. All resources are accompanied by Jupyter notebooks and.qmod files, Classiq’s proprietary modeling language, ensuring easy accessibility and usability. Classiq’s commitment to education and hands-on learning is further reflected in a comprehensive library of tutorials, designed to maximize the potential of the Classiq platform. There are many ways to get involved: Participate in the Classiq Slack community Explore the capabilities of the Classiq platform Try implementing via Classiq’s GitHub Repository Classiq is at the forefront of the quantum revolution, bridging the gap between quantum hardware advancements and software development. With this comprehensive suite of quantum applications, Classiq reaffirms its commitment to fostering a vibrant, collaborative and cutting-edge quantum computing ecosystem. About Classiq Classiq Technologies, the leading quantum software company, provides an all-encompassing software platform (IDE, compiler and OS) with a single point of entry into quantum computing, from algorithm design to execution. Tailored to all levels of developer proficiency, Classiq aims to democratize access to quantum computing with software that equips customers to take full advantage of the quantum computing revolution. A low-code development environment that automates quantum programming ensures that a broader range of talents, including those with backgrounds in AI, ML and linear algebra, can harness quantum computing without requiring deep, specialized knowledge of how to program quantum computer hardware. Classiq also works closely with advanced computation hardware providers providing software for use with quantum computers, HPC and quantum simulators. Backed by powerful investors such as HPE, HSBC, Samsung, Intesa Sanpaolo and NTT, Classiq’s world-class team of scientists and engineers has distilled decades of quantum expertise into its groundbreaking software development platform. Follow Classiq on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) or YouTube, join the Slack community, or try the Classiq platform. Contact Details Rainier Communications Michelle Allard McMahon classiqPR@rainierco.com Company Website http://www.classiq.io/

December 05, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Classiq and Oxford Quantum Circuits Partner to Advance Seamless Quantum Computing and Data Center Convergence

Classiq Technologies

Classiq, a leading quantum software company, and Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), a pioneering quantum computing hardware company, today announced a partnership that aims to make advanced quantum computing more accessible and streamlined for users across research and industry. Classiq provides an end-to-end quantum software platform that automates the process of developing quantum software and executing it on quantum processors. The company's proprietary technology automatically synthesizes optimized quantum circuits from functional models, high-level quantum code or via Pyomo integration. OQC is focused on developing and building enterprise-ready quantum computers based on superconducting qubits. The company is committed to working with the best software partners to ensure ease of use and seamless implementation for its quantum systems. By partnering, Classiq and OQC will offer users a smooth flow including modeling, debugging, automatic quantum circuit synthesis, circuit optimization and execution on OQC's cutting-edge quantum hardware. Classiq's platform will be expanded to support executing algorithms optimized for OQC’s quantum processors, providing developers more options to select the right quantum backend for their needs, including the recently announced next-gen OQC Toshiko machine. As part of this collaboration, they will partner to further integrate their respective technologies with data centers and HPC (high-performance computing). "We’re excited to partner with OQC and help make their innovative quantum systems easily accessible to users through our software," said Nir Minerbi, CEO and co-founder of Classiq. "Together, we invite quantum developers to experience a streamlined workflow from design all the way to state-of-the-art hardware execution." "Classiq's software helps unlock the power of quantum by abstracting away complexity for developers. We are thrilled to be partnering with them to ensure our hardware can be used seamlessly by a broad quantum community to achieve real-world impact," said Ilana Wisby, CEO of OQC. This collaboration reflects both companies' commitment to advancing the quantum ecosystem by bringing together world-class quantum software and hardware. The joint solution will empower users across industries to realize the benefits of quantum computing and build the quantum future. About OQC OQC is the globally leading enterprise-ready quantum compute company. We bring quantum to our customers’ fingertips and enable them to make breakthrough discoveries. OQC Toshiko, a powerful and secure 32-qubit quantum computing platform, is now in private beta and coming soon on public cloud and data centre fabric. For more information: For more information: www.oxfordquantumcircuits.com About Classiq Classiq Technologies, the leading quantum software company, provides an all-encompassing software platform (IDE, compiler and OS) with a single point of entry into quantum computing, from algorithm design to execution. Tailored to all levels of developer proficiency, Classiq aims to democratize access to quantum computing with software that equips customers to take full advantage of the quantum computing revolution. A low-code development environment that automates quantum programming ensures that a broader range of talents, including those with backgrounds in AI, ML and linear algebra, can harness quantum computing without requiring deep, specialized knowledge of how to program quantum computer hardware. Classiq also works closely with advanced computation hardware providers providing software for use with quantum computers, HPC and quantum simulators. Backed by powerful investors such as HPE, HSBC, Samsung, Intesa Sanpaolo and NTT, Classiq’s world-class team of scientists and engineers has distilled decades of quantum expertise into its groundbreaking software development platform. Follow Classiq on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) or YouTube, join the Slack community, or try the Classiq platform. Contact Details Rainier Communications Michelle Allard McMahon classiqPR@rainierco.com Company Website http://www.classiq.io/

December 05, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Top Toys (and Trends) for the Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

The holidays are here, and as always, the most on-trend and innovative products will continue to be atop of wish lists. But this year, parents are looking to shop smart and are seeking out feature-rich toys that offer bang for their buck. Recently, Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, participated in a nationwide virtual media tour to discuss the top toys and trends for the holiday season. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/EBX9bVGD9jQ According to new research from the Toy Association, 64% of parents are looking to make connections with their kids this holiday season by buying todays they can play with together and create memories. Here are some of the top toys this holiday season: Rubble & Crew Bark Yard Crane Tower Playset Based on the construction yard and home base for the pups in Rubble & Crew, the new PAW Patrol spin-off series, this playset stands over 2 feet tall, providing hours of preschool-friendly building play. The playset comes with 12 ounces of all-new Kinetic Build-It Sand, four molds, interchangeable tools and a Rubble vehicle and pup, encouraging open-ended sensory play for preschoolers. Lights, sounds, music, and phrases from the series help bring the setting to life for fans. Hot Wheels® Ultimate T-Rex Transporter The Hot Wheels™ City Ultimate Hauler can gobble up and haul more than 20 1:64 scale cars and then transform into a growling, stomping T-Rex with a race track on its back. In hauler mode, pull it by the handle and it will eat the 1:64 scale cars in its path. Lower the tail and it transforms into a Robo T-Rex with lights and sounds and a two-lane race track. Kids can also launch cars from its mouth! Two 1:64 scale Hot Wheels® cars are included. Bearlieve Bear Bearlieve Bear is Build-A-Bear Workshop's first-ever interactive furry friend that responds to touch and the sound of your voice. From opening its eyes to wiggling its ears to verbalizing sweet phrases, Bearlieve Bear is poised to capture the hearts of children and adults alike as the must-have gift of the season. Guests can partake in Build-A-Bear’s special stuffing experience to create this new furry friend and participate in a specially designed heart ceremony to bring their new friend to life. Bearlieve Bear comes to life in Build-A-Bear Workshops in its own unique way as guests proclaim, “I BEARlieve!” while pressing the red heart on its paw during the iconic heart ceremony. Bearlieve Bear is introduced in Build-A-Bear’s family-friendly holiday film, Glisten and the Merry Mission. Storytime With Sunny Sunny’s expressive personality engages kiddos as she tells stories with surprising plot twists to keep them hanging on her every word. Sunny invites participation in 300+ activities with four disks and more than five hours of fairy tales, classic songs, guessing games, a poem creator, silly jokes, tongue twisters, daily routines and much more. Her animated face and movements add emotion and expression to jokes, stories and songs, inviting kids to respond as she asks them what they think. Sunny teaches healthy habits, encouraging good manners, brushing teeth and mindfulness exercises. Cleanup time is easy with a dedicated disk rack to store the four disks. When the day is done, take a quiet moment with Sunny as she leads kids in a bedtime routine. Set her gentle alarm, then fall asleep to her softly glowing night-light. Spy Guy Game Take on the role of Spy Guy, whose task is to find and catch a criminal who is prowling the city! Players will work together to search the long jigsaw puzzle board for clues aiming to catch the culprit as quickly as possible! Can you catch the criminal before he escapes from the city? Available at Target, Amazon, Trefl.com. For more information on these toys and much more, visit thegeniusofplay.org About Jennifer Lynch As an official spokesperson and toy trends specialist for The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch chats with toymakers throughout the year to track trends and developments impacting the toy aisles and kids’ entertainment. She has been interviewed by publications including New York Magazine, Inc. Magazine, The Spruce and Insider, and made appearances on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, ABC News, KTLA-TV, Good Day Philadelphia, WGN Chicago, Bloomberg Radio, and CNET, among others. Jennifer has more than a decade of experience covering the toy and kids’ entertainment industries. Prior, she served as the editorial manager for aNb Media and its b2c review site TTPM.com, where she oversaw all digital and print communications, reviewed product, and co-hosted a web series conducting in-depth interviews with toy industry executives. She began her career in her home state of Pennsylvania, handling marketing communications for Penn State’s art galleries (her alma mater). She resides in New Jersey with her husband and baby girl. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 04, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

ATA to Hold Virtual Roundtable in Response to Film Translators

American Translators Association

A free virtual event held during Universal Human Rights Month will address the challenges depicted in the film Translators and provide insights into the repercussions of asking children to work as interpreters for people with limited English proficiency (LEP) and the trauma it can cause. The American Translators Association (ATA), the premier association of translators, interpreters, and language professionals in the world, will hold a free online roundtable to discuss concerns over the depiction of children as interpreters in the film Translators, directed by Rudy Valdez and presented by U.S. Bank. A diverse panel of language services industry experts, including researchers, language access advocates, and former child interpreters, will provide insights into the issue, explaining how the film missed a unique opportunity to address the trauma child interpreters can experience and how people who need professional interpreters can avail themselves of their federally protected rights to access them. The panel will discuss a review of the film and the issues it presents, analyze the challenges of offering “meaningful” language access for LEP individuals, and suggest solutions to avoid placing the language brokering burden on children. The free virtual event will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST in English, with Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language) interpreting and live professional captioning. Register here to receive a Zoom link to attend. A recording of the event will be made available afterwards on ATA’s website. ATA encourages advocates, journalists, and leaders to participate and help spread the word about this important issue. If you have any questions about this event, please contact us by emailing ATA’s Advocacy Committee at advocacy@atanet.org. About the American Translators Association The American Translators Association (ATA) is the largest professional association of interpreters and translators in the United States, with thousands of members in over 100 countries who work in over 90 languages. Members include translators, interpreters, teachers, project managers, web and software developers, language company owners, hospitals, universities, and government agencies. ATA’s mission is to promote the recognition of professional translators and interpreters, to facilitate communication among its members, to establish standards of competence and ethics, to provide its members with professional development opportunities, and to advocate on behalf of the profession. Contact Details American Translators Association Kelli Baxter, Executive Director +1 703-683-6100 kelli@atanet.org Company Website https://www.atanet.org/

November 30, 2023 12:20 PM Eastern Standard Time

Tech the Halls

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

November 30, 2023 10:51 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

HKBU launches inaugural Asia-wide Art Futures Awards with world renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara as judge

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 30 November 2023 - The Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) under the School of Creative Arts (SCA) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) proudly announces the launch of the inaugural “ Art Futures Awards ”, an international art award which is the first of its kind in Asia. The project is dedicated to promoting and championing the achievements of outstanding emerging artists, and celebrating the exceptional works of recent graduates in the field of visual arts and associated contemporary art practices. The Awards is honoured to have enlisted internationally reputable members to serve in its judging panel including Mr Yoshitomo Nara (奈良美智), a highly acclaimed Japanese artist, and Mr Hou Hanru (侯瀚如), former Artistic Director of MAXXI, National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome. They will gather in HKBU in December to present awards to the talented young artists and share their inspirational insights in art creation. The Awards, co-organised and co-presented by HKBU’s AVA and the art organisations art-at-all and IAE (HK), has garnered wide support in its inaugural year. Over 70 colleges and institutions from countries and regions across Asia, including Mainland China, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, have submitted their nominations. Each college or institution is allowed to nominate up to two 2022/23 graduates. The judging panel has already shortlisted six finalists from a pool of 30 artists selected at the first round of assessment. Their works demonstrate extraordinary standards, and span across a diverse array of mediums such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, interactive installations, media art, and performing arts. A much-anticipated award presentation ceremony will be held on 20 December, during which winners of eight awards, including one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes, and two prizes designated for Hong Kong artists, will be announced. In addition to a cash prize of USD10,000, the first prize winner will also be granted a one-month residency in Hong Kong for art exchange. Professor Johnny M Poon, Founding Dean of SCA, said, “HKBU has been a well-known cradle of creativity, dedicated to nurturing talents for the art sector. The Art Futures Awards is poised to become a major catalyst for nurturing emerging artistic talents. It also serves as a dynamic platform that connects artists from around the world, which allows students from various academic institutions to exchange ideas for the creation of more inspirational works. By facilitating this creative exchange, the Awards will contribute to the development of an international community of art talents, paving the way for future collaborations and artistic innovations.” To allow the public to appreciate the exemplary works of these young art talents, a selection of their exceptional art pieces will be presented in Hong Kong from 21 December 2023 to 14 January 2024 at an exhibition to be held at the University’s Kai Tak Campus. For more event details, please refer to the Art Futures Awards website, Facebook and Instagram page. Contact Details Wong Suk-ling +852 3411 2119 hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk

November 30, 2023 04:43 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Melissa & Doug Toys Co-founder Introduces Lifelines, Well Being Tools That Activate Senses, Promote Stress Relief

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ytMbkUGV8kg It’s no secret that stress relief can get stressful for many people. Science tells us that 80% of stress relief starts in your body, not your brain. What if there was a way to bring stress relief to your fingertips with a science-backed collection of physical tools designed to activate the nervous system's calming response. Melissa Bernstein, the creative Founder behind Melissa & Doug Toys, is introducing her newest venture, Lifelines, a collection of Sensory Immersion™ tools that activate the body's natural stress relievers, your senses. For more than 30 years, Melissa conceived over 10,000 toys designed to unleash children's imagination, but behind-the-scenes she hid a lifelong struggle with anxiety, depression and stress. When she immersed her senses - she was able to break the cycle of rumination and experience the present moment in totality. That is the backstory and inspiration for Lifelines. Lifelines will offer a comprehensive suite of Sensory Immersion tools across all six senses. The first collection is focused on aroma, a powerful and science-backed category Melissa felt lacked innovation. The collection includes 45 products with 16 patents pending, spanning portable fidget tools, sensory writing, innovative diffusers, and essential oil blends. There are over 100 new products in development, including meditative art activities for adults and multi-sensorial sound and sight devices. Lifelines Grounding Stones are patent-pending handheld diffusers designed for touch, combining the power of scent with fidgeting. Fidgeting has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve focus. The six unique and touchable designs feature an irresistible swivel and fit perfectly in the palm, for stress relief anytime, anywhere. Lifelines sensory writing tools inspire focus and spark creativity. The Scented Colored Pencils elevate any writing experience. And the Pen Diffuser combines an innovative writing tool with four distinct aromas dispensed at your fingertips. Tactile Sensory Journals feature covers made for touch, with soothing embossed patterns inside to keep your ideas flowing. Lifelines immersive diffusers pair with any of their 20 essential oil blends to activate smell, touch, and sight. The Waves Ultrasonic Diffuser combines breathtaking scents, colorful lights, and cascading mist inspired by the ocean's tides. The Shower Diffuser and Bath Diffuser turn any bathroom into a spa-like getaway. The portable and lightweight Everyday Diffuser fits perfectly into small spaces like a drawer, car or bag with no batteries or cords required. And then there are Lifelines Essential Oil Blends, thoughtfully crafted aromas inspired by nature and curated by Melissa. This includes more than 20 different blends across five intoxicating scent families and four well- being goals: Energy, Calm, Focus, and Joy. Blends are made from naturally derived, sustainably sourced botanicals, free from parabens and dyes, and blended in the USA. All oils come with Lifelines' patent-pending Precision Pump™ for a mess-free application that dispenses the perfect amount of oil every time. Lifelines products are affordably priced from $5.99-$29.99 and available at popular retailers nationwide including Target. For more information, visit Lifelines.com About Lifelines Founded in 2022, Lifelines, is a collection of Sensory Immersion™ tools that activate the body's natural stress relievers, the senses. From the creative mind of toy maker and play expert, Melissa Bernstein, Lifelines established a new category of adult well-being products that are affordably priced and accessible at major retailers nationwide. For more information visit www.Lifelines.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 28, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Women and Alzheimer’s Disease Subject of Giving Tuesday Webinar

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund will host Dr. Liisa Galea for a Giving Tuesday webinar on her research into women and Alzheimer’s disease. In this pre-recorded webinar, Dr. Galea presents her research on sex-based differences into the causes of Alzheimer's disease and discusses her findings with Meg Smith, CEO of Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Dr. Liisa Galea is the Treliving Family Chair in Women’s Mental Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada and a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Galea is a world-renowned expert in sex hormone influences on brain and behavior, with a focus on dementia and stress-related psychiatric disorders. Her research examines the intersection of hormones, and stress on brain plasticity in males and females. “Women develop Alzheimer's disease at twice the rate of men. Dr. Galea’s research into why women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and what is driving increased risk is impressive,” said CEO Smith. “She is a tireless advocate for women’s health research and for sex and gender-based analysis to improve cognitive aging for both women and men. We are lucky to hear from her.” “There is a lot of talk about precision medicine, the idea that we can tailor treatments based on our genes. But we rarely talk about how different treatments might be needed to combat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s based on our sex,” said Galea. “The top three risk factors for late onset sporadic Alzheimer’s disease include APOE4 genotype and female sex. If you are an APOE4 carrier and a female you have an even greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than if you are male carrier. Why not harness this information to see whether we can discover new therapies to combat this devastating illness. It’s time we figured out how sex plays a role, not only in the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but whether or not, different treatments may need to be tailored by sex.” For more information and to view the webinar, please visit Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at CureAlz.org and https://bit.ly/49jqQuO for the webinar. The webinar takes place during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in November. It is estimated that more than 6.5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease two-thirds of those who are afflicted are women. It is projected that the share of adults 65 and older in the US population will rise to 22 percent by 2050. With age as the biggest risk factor, Alzheimer’s disease is poised to place an unmanageable financial burden on the US healthcare system, caregivers, and loved ones. About Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is a non-profit dedicated to funding the most promising research to prevent, slow, or reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Since its founding in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has provided grants to the world’s leading researchers and contributed more than $180 million to research. Its funded initiatives have been responsible for many key breakthroughs in understanding the causes and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has received a 4-star rating for more than 12 consecutive years from Charity Navigator. With 100 percent of funds raised going to support research, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has been able to provide grants to many of the best scientific minds in the field of Alzheimer’s research. For more information, visit https://www.curealz.org/. To learn about our the impact of Alzheimer’s on women and women working towards a cure, visit https://womenandalzheimers.org. Contact Details Barbara Chambers +1 978-417-9890 bchambers@curealz.org Company Website https://www.CureAlz.org

November 27, 2023 05:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Sherri Winslow Reflects on Over 20 Years in Palm Desert, CA and Joins President’s Club

Minuteman Press International Inc

Sherri Winslow is the owner of the Minuteman Press franchise in Palm Desert, CA since April of 2002. When her husband suddenly passed away in 2012, Sherri made the difficult decision to carry on as she took a more prominent role in the business as the sole owner and operator. Since then, Sherri has continued to build her business and in 2023 she was honored and acknowledged as one of the newest members of the Minuteman Press President’s Club. As she reflects on her accomplishments, Sherri shares her thoughts on 20-plus years and joining the President’s Club, keys to success and longevity, advice to others, and more. Celebrating 20 Years + Joining Minuteman Press President’s Club In 2022, Sherri celebrated 20 years of business ownership for Minuteman Press in Palm Desert. Today, in 2023, Sherri is now recognized as a member of the Minuteman Press International President’s Club for achieving yearly gross sales of over $1 million in 2022. Sherri shares, “Reflecting on our 20 years in business makes me realize that we were fortunate to partner with a good franchisor. Very few small businesses were able to make it through this period without a strong management and operational program to follow. That along with proper training and support from people that have been in the print business have made a huge impact. We will always be thankful for this.” She continues, “In 2023, I was proud to join the Minuteman Press International President’s Club. We have had fairly steady growth over the past 20 years. We started out making $19,000 in our first month after buying an existing business. In 2012, I lost my husband and I personally went from part-time to being the boss. My staff and Minuteman Press local support led by RVP Dan Byers helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. It was a very foggy year but we made it. In the past few years, we were getting close to the $1 million milestone and we set that as our goal last year. My staff and I worked very hard to make sure we reached that goal. A lot of hard work and determination helped us get there.” When asked about her keys to success and growth, Sherri says, “Our longevity and success is primarily due to our staff and customer service. We have had many referrals through the years without asking. Now that we have been through the last training session, we plan to start asking for referrals through different channels. Other contributing factors to our success are related to our direct & internet marketing along with expanding our services & products over the years. We added wide format in the beginning, then signage, direct mail, and blueprints.” Sherri continues, “There are two other areas worth mentioning that I feel have been successful for us. The first has to do with Google Reviews, which has been a point of focus at regional meetings. At one meeting before the pandemic hit, there were around 50 people in attendance from many franchises in Southern California. We talked about how important Google Reviews are. We shared materials used to get reviews and it really blossomed here. I get a lot of new customers because they did a search and noticed how many good reviews we have.” She further shares, “Next is having good storefront and building signage. My shop is on the main highway that people travel from one end of the valley to the other. You can’t miss my shop because we went big and bold with the signage. I would do more, but the local laws don’t allow it. People always tell me they find me from our signage.” Printing Industry & Community/Franchise Support Sherri shares her insights on the printing industry today, saying, “Printing remains vital to businesses today because it provides a connection that stays with the consumer as opposed to the internet or email. Your printed materials end up in someone’s hand, which can make that lasting impression. How many people swipe left or delete emails without reading them? They will always take the time to look at a business card, postcard or holiday card that they receive.” In Palm Desert, Sherry says, “We are a small set of cities that hold large events and conventions. This brings an increase to our population that is about triple the amount during certain months of the year. Thanks to our community, our key growth areas have included signage, blueprints, convention printing and direct mail.” She adds, “We would not be where we are today without the local franchise support, training and the IT department that Minuteman Press International provides. We owe a lot of our success to this.” Rewards & Advice for Others As she looks back on over 20 years and reflects on the rewards of owning a business, Sherri says, “I would say my biggest personal reward is that I have been able to achieve everything that I have wanted to in my life. I can’t really ask for more personally except for time. My biggest professional reward has been reaching that $1 million goal and making the Minuteman Press President’s Club.” As for what advice she would give to others, Sherri shares, “Make sure you are active with the quote process and follow-up. Understand the difference between shoppers (who are getting 3 quotes from various vendors) and buyers. I recommend you give the customer a day to digest the quote they received, then follow up and make sure you answer their questions. Lastly, make sure you let them know you want to meet their price point or their budget constraints if you do… Again, the difference between a shopper and a buyer will make the difference on whether you will want to meet their budget constraints.” Minuteman Press in Palm Desert is located at 73-660 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ca/palm-desert/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

November 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

1 ... 15 16 17 18 19 ... 99