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Small And Medium Sized Businesses Are Losing Money When They Send Funds Overseas

FatBrAin

For every company, protecting and increasing cash flow is one of the main concerns. However, so many companies do not have the resources to properly evaluate where they have unnecessary losses and how to optimize systems to increase their cash flow. This is especially true of small and medium-sized enterprises, also known as SMEs. SMEs make up over 90% of businesses around the world and approximately half of employment. In the U.S., SMEs account for 44% of all U.S. economic activity and produce the bulk of GDP output. SMEs are crucial to the economy but that doesn’t mean they always have the necessary support to excel in the growing technological world. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data have the potential to revolutionize the workforce. These technologies are able to increase efficiency and diversify revenue streams, among other things. However, the companies utilizing these technologies are often large enterprises like Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), IBM (NYSE: IBM), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and government agencies. FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI) (“FatBrain”) is looking to change this status quo. FatBrain markets itself as “AI for Everyone” and caters to SMEs. The company is interested in simplifying decision-making for SMEs and giving them the power to harness big data and AI to grow and expand their businesses. FatBrain believes that SMEs often do not have the manpower or capital to derive plausible solutions for their business because there is too much data and too many variables to contend with. This is where AI comes into play. AI allows these businesses to make effective changes toward growth and efficiency without depleting their resources. For example, one product the company offers is its FX Transaction Offering. Its program, FatBrain FX Fair Value Report (FVR) reviews your foreign exchange (FX) transactions and performs possible savings calculations. According to the International Monetary Fund, banks charge up to 25x more in transaction costs than the market FX rate. This impacts the bottom line of SMEs that engage in global commerce. FatBrain is an expert in foreign exchange and international payment services; the company has worked across a diverse amount of sectors that engage in global commerce and has helped companies find the most competitive rates of exchange along with recommending hedging strategies. FatBrain uses its cutting-edge AI for in-depth analysis of a company's historical transactions to identify FX cycles. From there, FatBrain makes recommendations and provides expert coaching to anticipate currency dynamics and match the company’s purchase cycles to unlock FX transaction savings. For SMEs, this makes a world of difference. FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.; OTC: LZGI) is the first and leading provider of powerful and easy-to-use AI solutions to millions of businesses of tomorrow driving the majority of the global economy, empowering them to grow, innovate faster and savemoney. FatBrain’s innovative solutions transform continuous learning, narrative reasoning, cloud, blockchain and Web3 technologies into auditable, explainable and easy to integrate products. FatBrain’ssubscription model allows all companies to deploy its advanced AI solutions quickly and easily, securely utilizing them on premises behind their firewalls or via cloud. The AI 2.0 pioneered by our teams is like WAZE for business growth, using advanced peerdynamics technology to automatically learn patterns from individual and peer behavior. This allows us to deliver coached, personalized AI solutions at hyperscale. FatBrain unifies insights from SaaS applications, turbo-charged by peer and market dynamics: 1) Realize attainable goals from explainable peer performance. 2)Turbo-charge human expertise with superhuman AI insights. 3) Accelerate growth through the contributory network effects. 4) Simplify harnessing data across common apps and market signals. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Shawn Carey ir@fatbrain.ai Company Website https://fatbrain.ai/

December 08, 2022 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

COMCAST BRINGING HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO WAYZATA, MINNESOTA

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast today announced it will be extending its smart, fast and reliable fiber-rich network to make its full suite of services available to more than 2,300 homes and businesses in the City of Wayzata, including residential broadband speeds faster than 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) and business speeds up to 100 Gbps. The $2.5 million project is on track to start connecting homes and businesses to high-speed Internet by late 2022, with completion of the network throughout Wayzata expected in 2023. The expansion of Comcast’s fiber-rich network to Wayzata, along with previously completed expansions in Rogers and Dayton, brings service to nearly 2,900 additional Twin Cities homes and businesses reached by Comcast since 2021. Over the past three years, Comcast has invested nearly $435 million in technology and infrastructure in Minnesota to enhance its network and product offerings to reach more residents and businesses in the surrounding area with gigabit-capable speeds. The Wayzata expansion brings the company’s statewide investment to more than $437 million. “Comcast’s expansion is welcome news for our residents and businesses in Wayzata,” said Johanna Mouton, Mayor of Wayzata. “As Mayor, I want to be able to offer more choices for our residents so that they can identify the services that work best for them and their needs. In addition, I know the services Comcast brings will be welcomed by our thriving service and retail business sectors.” “We have committed to investing in and expanding our network to ensure that more residents and businesses across our region have the important broadband connections they need for their educational, professional and personal lives,” said Kalyn Hove, regional senior vice president, Comcast. “We are proud to connect these communities with fast, secure and reliable internet service that is built to meet their needs today and into the future.” Residential customers in these areas will be able to take advantage of Xfinity’s full suite of internet products, including: Speeds faster than 1 Gbps and advanced WiFi technology from powerful gateways capable of delivering those speeds to support the ever-increasing number of connected devices in homes; Xfinity Mobile, built for the way consumers use mobile today, with the Internet at the core of the experience, the top ranked service in customer satisfaction can save customers up to $600 a year on their mobile bills; Flex, a free 4K platform for internet-only customers that seamlessly delivers streaming content; xFi, available in the Xfinity app, a digital dashboard to control home WiFi network that includes Advanced Security protecting every device on the network from malware and security threats. Residential customers will also be able to take advantage of the company’s Internet Essentials program that provides low-cost, high-speed broadband for income-constrained households. Since its inception in 2011, the program has connected more than 344,000 Minnesotans. Comcast also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualifying households with a $30 monthly credit toward internet and mobile services. For local businesses, Comcast Business will offer a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://twincities.comcast.com/wayzataexpansion/

December 08, 2022 07:00 AM Central Standard Time

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Xpoint granted license to operate from Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council

Xpoint Technology

Xpoint, the leading geolocation and compliance technology company specializing in North American sports betting and iGaming markets, has announced that the company has been granted a license to provide geolocation technology services in Tennessee by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council. Geolocation services have been essential in ensuring that sports betting remains compliant with existing legal regulations, much of which is contingent on sportsbooks and iGaming operators being able to prove that any requests placed by consumers using their platform are within their state borders. “I would like to thank the members and executive staff of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council for approving our application for licensure to provide geo-verification services in Tennessee," commented Marvin Sanderson, CEO of Xpoint. “To be licensed to provide our geolocation technology solutions in another legalized sports betting U.S. State is a huge honor, and we are looking forward to working with multiple partners in Tennessee to help their players gamble safely, securely, and free from any fraud.” This announcement comes right around the corner of Xpoint receiving authorization to launch their geolocation services in the state of Ohio, United States. The company has launched live geolocation technology services with multiple partners in Canada and throughout the USA and is one of only two geolocation technology vendors licensed in New Jersey. ABOUT XPOINT Xpoint provides essential geolocation security solutions and intelligent location-based marketing insights to the global sports betting and iGaming industries. Xpoint’s innovative Verify and Lite platforms ensures partners meet their regulatory geo-compliance obligations, and deliver enhanced value through the generation of location-based data that can drive marketing programs. Xpoint was founded in 2019 and officially unveiled in Las Vegas in 2021, and is led by the company's CEO Marvin Sanderson, a global sports betting and iGaming industry leader. With North American offices in Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida, Xpoint is changing the global geolocation market, bringing innovation to an industry that has, to date, viewed geo-compliance as a utility, not a new business opportunity. For more information, visit xpoint.tech and follow LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates. Contact Details Xpoint Arisha Nomani +1 305-455-8776 arisha@xpoint.tech Company Website https://xpoint.tech/

December 08, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Pixyle AI raises €1M as it boosts fashion retailer sales by improving product discovery using AI

Pixyle

The poor product discovery experience of consumers is costing online sellers and ecommerce companies billions in lost sales as they fail to live up to user expectations. Helping them address this problem, visual AI startup for e-commerce, Pixyle AI, is today announcing a €1M seed funding round from South Central Ventures with a mission to connect retailer’s online audience with the products they are really looking to buy. Founded in 2018 by Svetlana Kordumova, a PhD in AI and Computer vision from the University of Amsterdam, Pixyle AI helps fashion retailers with image recognition solutions, enabling them to deliver a better online shopping experience, boost e-commerce sales, and improve efficiency in catalogue management with smart product data entry. Pixyle’s visual AI finds the location of fashion items in images, determines the category of the item i.e dress, sneaker etc and then Pixyle AI digs deeper into the image to classify attributes i.e. colour, pattern etc in language that shoppers use. This enhances the product data and improves the relevancy in search results for product discoverability, leading to higher conversion rates. The tags generated by Pixyle AI can be easily absorbed into a retailer’s existing e-commerce stack, making their search and discovery platform run seamlessly and faster. Svetlana Kordumova, founder and CEO of Pixyle AI commented: “In search, understanding customers’ shopping intent is vital. We are laser focused on this using neural networks that train Pixyle’s AI algorithms to see and interpret images exactly how humans would. For example, in ecommerce when site visitors are looking for a specific product to buy and type “short summer dress with flower print in purple and pink” in order for these kinds of dresses to be shown to the customers, in the catalogue they need to be tagged with length “short”, occasion “summer”, with “floral” pattern, and “purple” and “pink” colours. It starts with building the right taxonomy. Having the right metadata associated with product images helps retailers capture everyday popular search queries as well as long-tail searches. We’re trying to make online shopping as frictionless as possible, and hopefully a bit more fun and enjoyable by letting people easily find what they are really looking for.” The premise behind Pixyle AI is that search engines and site search are failing shoppers owing to inconsistent, incomplete and inaccurate data quality linked to products that isn’t helping them find what they are looking for. Research shows that 94% of searches deliver irrelevant results and 72% of sites completely fall short of search expectations. As a result, the majority of shoppers abandon their search and they’re not coming back. Google has estimated (in the US alone) the cost of such bad search experiences is $300B in lost revenue each year ( source ). Svetlana Kordumova added: “Retail footfall has increased post pandemic but online shopping for clothes will continue to grow. We are also encouraged by the growth of the fast-growing fashion resale market, which presents a significant first-mover opportunity for Pixyle AI to help the circular economy take off. We have built algorithms specifically for user-generated images, allowing the AI to detect and recognize fashion items even in blurry, homemade selfies.” Pixyle AI, with offices in Amsterdam and North-Macedonia, helps brands and retailers all over the world including Tendam (Spain), Otrium (Netherlands) and Miinto (Denmark). Since going live in 2019, Pixyle AI has worked with retailers having tagged over 250M images, improving the relevance and accuracy of product attributes with 95% accuracy and increasing conversions by 10% on average. Pixyle AI will use the seed funding round to further expand our geographic reach, enhance the product offering, and move into new verticals. Jan Kobler, Managing Partner at South Central Ventures commented: “Ecommerce has gone from strength to strength in recent years with several innovations to help the channel become second nature for consumers. A pivotal part of engaging online shoppers is product search, being able to find what you want easily and quickly. However, search has been hugely underserved and remains an unmet need for retailers and shoppers until now. Pixyle AI is laser focused on this opportunity and is already moving the dial with more sales for retailers. They have built a robust tech stack, which has been tried and tested in the market and is ready to scale. We are very much looking forward to working together with the founders and helping them grow their business in years to come.” About Pixyle AI Pixyle AI is on a mission to transform the way people discover products online by helping retailers build better search with visual AI. Pixyle AI provides image recognition solutions for fashion retailers, enabling them to improve efficiency in catalogue management, deliver a better online shopping experience and boost e-commerce sales. The team is based between offices in Amsterdam and North-Macedonia and works with retailers all over the world including Tendam (Spain), Otrium (Netherlands) and Miinto (Denmark). For more information please visit https://www.pixyle.ai/ About South Central Ventures South Central Ventures is a VC firm with a long and continuous presence in the Balkans. Operating out of four offices - Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade and Skopje - the team has invested in over 40 early-stage tech companies and has been an integral part of the regional startup community. With a strong base of international LPs and network of reputable co-investors, South Central Ventures is the go-to-investor for regional tech companies with global ambitions. SCV’s portfolio companies include Cognism, AdScanner, Agrivi, Orgnostic, among others. For more information please visit: https://sc-ventures.com/ Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.pixyle.ai/

December 08, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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OPPO to Unveil New Cutting-edge Tech and Commitment to “Empowering a Better Future” at INNO DAY 2022 on December 14

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 8 December 2022 - OPPO today confirmed that its fourth annual tech event, INNO DAY 2022, will be held in a virtual format on December 14, 2022. Themed “Empowering a Better Future”, the event will showcase OPPO’s commitment to openness and inclusivity as it seeks to create more possibilities through smarter connected experiences. OPPO INNO DAY is OPPO’s signature annual event through which it explores emerging technologies and highlights its achievements over the past year. This year’s event will see the introduction of several new cutting-edge technologies developed under OPPO’s Four Smart Initiatives of smart entertainment, smart productivity, smart health, and smart learning. Members of the public are invited to join the event, to discover more about how OPPO is empowering a better future where everyone can live their best lives. Guests can join the online event by visiting the OPPO official website at 16:00 CST (UTC +8) on December 14 th. OPPO INNO DAY was first held in 2019, during which the OPPO 5G CPE and OPPO Watch wearables series were both unveiled. At INNO DAY 2020, OPPO showcased the groundbreaking rollable concept phone. At last year’s event, OPPO announced its new brand proposition “Inspiration Ahead”, and its first self-developed imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, and launched its first foldable phone, OPPO Find N. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find X and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

December 07, 2022 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Announcing the 2022-2023 Class of AAJA-SF Bay Area’s Rising With the Tides Fellowship

Comcast California

Comcast, NBC Bay Area and the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA-SF Bay Area) are proud to announce the fellows and editorial coach who have been selected for the 2022-2023 Rising With the Tides ( RWTT ) program. This year’s program will fund stories by three talented young Bay Area journalists — Kate Selig, Kori Suzuki and Junyao Yang — who will share portraits of the region’s Asian American population and the issues that the community faces. Selig is a Stanford undergraduate student and the news editor of The Stanford Daily. Her RWTT -supported story will focus on the effort to preserve Cantonese language programs at higher education institutions in the Bay Area. Suzuki is an audio and visual journalist and a student at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. For RWTT, Suzuki will trace the history of Japanese American recreational basketball leagues in the Bay Area and will follow one East Bay program through its current season. Yang is also a student at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, and her RWTT -supported story examines the unique challenges faced by Chinese immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence. Selig, Suzuki and Yang will receive guidance during their reporting from this year’s RWTT editorial coach, Karishma Mehrotra. She is a Fulbright fellow and her work has appeared on Radiolab, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Indian Express, Scroll.in and Bloomberg Businessweek. Mehrotra has reported across beats, usually focused on forward-looking issues: technology, urbanization and climate. RWTT launched in 2020 as an effort with Comcast to support journalists who were facing career and financial insecurity during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Past RWTT grant recipients have had their stories published in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, NBC Bay Area and Wired. They also participated in AAJA-SF Bay Area’s sold-out live storytelling fundraiser, Hella Asian, held at KQED’s headquarters. All fellows will participate in a story showcase at the project’s end in early spring 2023. The RWTT fellowship is a part of AAJA-SF Bay Area’s mission to support AAPI journalists and storytelling, diversity in newsrooms and to ensure fair and accurate coverage of communities of color. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Adriana Arvizo +1 925-200-1919 Adriana_Arvizo@comcast.com

December 07, 2022 12:07 PM Pacific Standard Time

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One App To Rule Them All? The Fintech Company Offering Integrated Financial Solutions

Current

In 2020, the US saw total e-commerce sales reach $537 billion, as an increasing amount of financial activity moves online. It is arguably more important than ever for people to have integrated financial solutions to suit the modern market. Over 160 million Americans currently use online banking, with money transfers and payments having the highest customer adoption rate among financial technology (fintech) services. This fintech revolution is leading the shift away from traditional banking systems in favor of more innovative and integrated financial services that suit modern lifestyles. One company providing unification of financial services onto one platform is New York City-based Current. From the convenience of one app, Current says its users can seamlessly meet all their financial needs, making deposits and monitoring payments and paychecks. Current is a fintech solutions provider and not a bank, and its banking services are provided through a partnership with Choice Financial Group, a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC). A Current Trend? Through the company’s Current Core financial technology, financial services are now all in one place. Receiving paychecks, using savings, and debit cards, buying and selling crypto, and more can all be done through a single app. The company highlights multiple advantages provided through the Current platform to its users. With a Current account, paychecks can be delivered up to 2 days sooner through its early direct deposit service. 1 This means waiting less time for payday and increased financial flexibility. The Current platform also allows for crypto buying and selling with dozens of cryptocurrencies. With no trading fees, users can exchange crypto for cash and vice versa instantly, getting instant access to funds and uncomplicating crypto for beginners and veterans alike. Crypto novices will especially appreciate the straightforward settings that include in-app crypto tips. Another exciting platform feature is Current’s savings pods. These allow users to set aside funds and save right away, earning 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) - 15x the national average. 2 Users get an increase in their savings whether the pod has $1 or $1000, and they have 24/7 access to the money with no restrictions. This means they can spend or reinvest savings at any time they need. Through this integrated financial app and platform, Current looks to allows users’ money to work together efficiently in a solution that suits 21st-century financial needs. Interested in learning more about Current? Visit its website at Current.com. Cryptocurrency services are powered by Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC, and may not be available in all states. Licensed to engage in Virtual Currency Business Activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. All forms of investments carry risks, including the possible loss of principal. Cryptocurrency is not subject to FDIC or SIPC coverage. 1 Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer's submission of deposits. 2 The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for Current Interest is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 1, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn Current Interest on up to $2000 in deposits per Savings Pod up to $6000 total. Please refer to Current Interest Terms and Conditions. 15x rate calculated using the FDIC average National Deposit Rate for savings accounts of 0.24. www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/index.html Current is a leading U.S. financial technology platform serving the needs of Americans who are working to create a better future for themselves. Our mission is to enable members to change their lives by creating better financial outcomes. Leveraging the best technology, we deliver inspirational and motivational products as we all move forward in a world of increasing digitization and complexity. Cryptocurrency services are powered by Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC, and may not be available in all states. Licensed to engage in Virtual Currency Business Activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. All forms of investments carry risks, including the possible loss of principal. Cryptocurrency is not subject to FDIC or SIPC coverage. 1 Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer's submission of deposits. 2 The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for Current Interest is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 1, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn Current Interest on up to $2000 in deposits per Savings Pod up to $6000 total. Please refer to Current Interest Terms and Conditions. 15x rate calculated using the FDIC average National Deposit Rate for savings accounts of 0.24. www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/index.html Contact Details Erin Bruehl media@current.com Company Website https://current.com

December 07, 2022 02:10 PM Eastern Standard Time

DragonFly: This American Company Is Innovating In The Hypercompetitive Li-ion Battery Industry

Benzinga

Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DFLI) was a guest on Benzinga’s All Access on 12/2/22. Dragonfly Energy is an industry-leading manufacturer of deep cycle lithium-ion batteries and is spearheading conventional and solid-state lithium-ion battery research and development worldwide. Sold under the Battle Born Batteries brand, the company’s products are used for powering and charging devices and appliances, low-density mobility, high grade energy storage, and are ideally suited for applications where stability, longevity, and safety are a priority. Watch the full interview here: This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

December 07, 2022 01:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Bloomington, MN Celebrates 15 Years in Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Bill and Karen Grewe have owned their Minuteman Press franchise in Bloomington, Minnesota since July of 2007. As they celebrate 15 years in business, Bill shares keys to success, lessons learned, high-demand products and services, and many more insights and reflections. Minuteman Press in Bloomington is located at 8742 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420. Congrats on 15 years in business! What does this milestone mean to you and what are 3 keys to your success and longevity? Bill Grewe: It means we’ve thrived over other competitors in the area, and we lasted longer than the average small business. Most recently, we survived the Covid-19 crisis, and we start to see a return to normalcy. Further, our retirement plans include continuing to work in our shop for the foreseeable future. We still enjoy it! Key 1: Our customer focus requires us to authorize staff to solve ‘the problem.’ We back the good faith decisions made in our absence. We prioritize discussions about how to solve issues when we are available. We emphasize that the customer is not always right, but we all make mistakes. Even so, there is no need to place blame. We look for win-win solutions. Key 2: Prioritize the quote. It is not the least expensive print company that gets the job; it is the most responsive. Sure, we accommodate ‘commodity-focused’ customers. We also price aggressively on three tiers: retail, print brokers, and non-profits. We also have two of our five employees, who generate estimates for us. Key 3: Value your team members. Our payroll is excessive, and that is intentional. We pay for talent, and that inspires loyalty. When Covid forced us to reduce hours and pay, our staff supported us. We share the successes and struggles, and we look for opportunities together. What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business? Bill Grewe: One of the hardest lessons we learned was ‘cold calling.’ We waited too long to start following the advice received at training. (What can we say, introverts find it difficult.) A business coach encouraged us to experiment with a variety of ideas. So, we ventured outside the ‘comfort zone.’ As the business expanded, we found a salesman to perform this task for us. Early on, we remembered an important lesson from Minuteman Press International (MPI), “When someone asks you if you can ‘print this’, the answer is always ‘Yes.’” Since our small print shop simply did not have the resources to produce every job, we figured out how to find “central facilities” to fill the gaps. (Hint: We asked our MPI friends, searched the internet for trade only printers, and checked the vendor catalog.) Before FLEX offered a feature to request reviews, we employed a vendor to perform the service on our behalf. Now, we use functionality built in to automatically make this request when invoices are sent. The benefit of our finding this functionality early is that we are working to maintain a 5.0 rating, not trying to earn it. Our Google rating is one of the most often mentioned ways that new customers find us. What are the high-demand products and services that have really been helpful for your clients? Bill Grewe: EDDM offers one landscaping customer the opportunity to replace the 20% customer loss experienced year-over-year. On a routine basis several times each year, we use a central facility to produce 30,000 postcards. Our customer chooses the carrier routes they want to prospect. Then, we batch the postcards and deliver them to various post offices in the area. Wide format is a place where our central facility strategy permits us to offer signs for graduates. Our graphic designer offered to produce artwork for a school-themed graduation sign, and word quickly spread. Several other schools participated, and parents even paid in advance our third year providing this service to our community. One private school decided to pay for all the signs ahead of time and resell them. We print so many envelopes, regular and window. We moved our envelope printing off our digital toner machines onto an inkjet envelope printer, and we assigned the task to our graphic designer. This freed up our other machines for other work. We still have discriminating customers, who demand precise color. So, when our team cannot match color digitally, we work with an area pressman, who works out of his garage. How would you best describe your community? Bill Grewe: Bloomington is the 5th largest city in Minnesota with more jobs per capita than either Minneapolis or St. Paul, the two largest cities. Businesses range in size from the smallest to large, multi-national corporations. From a business perspective, the opportunities are abundant. Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Bill Grewe: Print provides tangible marketing messages that you can set aside for a convenient read. Where people skim their emails followed by the quick delete, they store and share meaningful documents. What was your background before franchising and why did you choose Minuteman Press? Bill Grewe: Neither of us comes from a print background. Karen worked in a day care center, then provided home day care. I worked for the revenue department for 20 years before looking for something new. An advertisement caught my attention, and the rest is history. What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Bill Grewe: After learning volumes of new information during training, I spent the first year figuring out what it all meant. Remember when I said we waited too long to start following all the advice we received from Minuteman Press International? I was so wrapped up in trying to understand it all, I missed the ‘do this’ advice that helped our business start growing. The FLEX software is a significant advancement over previous versions, which underscores Minuteman Press International’s commitment to improvement. Its integration with the website and increased functionality allows us to accept orders and payments online. Much of our business remains either an email or phone conversation, but the day is coming when current customers can reorder previously delivered projects with the click of a portal button. We should not miss an opportunity to thank the most important local support provided by Minuteman Press International, our field representative Kate. When Bill, our salesman, retired in July this year, Kate was on the job helping train Pete with updated advice from the franchisor, using FLEX, etc. What are the biggest personal and professional rewards of owning your business? Bill Grewe: For us, our franchise provides a sense of security. While there are income fluctuations, the business provides a steady income. Furthermore, it is part of our retirement plan. (We enjoy working with our staff.) What advice would you give to other business owners or people looking to own a business? Bill Grewe: For people looking to own a business, your first responsibility is to build your market share. Your employees depend on their paycheck. This means you must separate yourself from the day-to-day operations and focus on how to increase income. Our franchise focuses on building a relationship with customers. This starts with listening long enough to hear the vision, ask questions to clarify the intent, and suggest options that deliver the right product on schedule. It involves managing expectations and avoiding unrealistic promises. Sometimes the best thing to tell your customer is, ‘We simply cannot meet that deadline.’ Otherwise, you risk delivering a product that advertises failure. It’s better to overdeliver. For more information on Minuteman Press in Bloomington, MN, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/mn/bloomington/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and see 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

December 07, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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