Steven Murray on Bauer Business Focus, Dec. 7, 2012

Posted December 6th, 2012 - No Comments

On Bauer Business Focus — A conversation on how the energy retail business is changing with Andrew Schneider, business reporter for KUHF 88.7 FM.

With over 26 million people in the state of Texas, the marketplace for the energy retail business is full of new customers, and with that, comes new opportunity for companies looking to expand. Direct Energy Residential President Steven Murray recently discussed moving his company’s headquarters to Houston with KUHF business reporter Andrew Schneider for Bauer Business Focus.

“Texas is an incredible market on all levels,” Murray said. “It’s got a great skilled and educated workforce and a regulatory and legislative regime that is extremely supportive of business. When you combine that with a deregulated energy market, it was an obvious choice.”

From its previous home base in Toronto, Direct Energy has already tapped into the Texas market.

“In Texas, we’re ranked third as an energy retail provider behind TXU and Reliant. We are bound and determined that we’re going to get up to #,1 and the way we’ll do that is by providing great customer service and by offering new products based on smart meters.”

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Marylyn Harris on Bauer Business Focus, Nov. 30, 2012

Posted November 29th, 2012 - No Comments

On Bauer Business Focus — A conversation on helping women veterans transition to civilian life with Andrew Schneider, business reporter for KUHF 88.7 FM.

Transitioning to civilian life after serving in the military can be challenging for all service members, and according to Marylyn Harris, executive director of the Women Veterans Business Center, women veterans especially face high unemployment rates. She discussed the issue with KUHF business reporter Andrew Schneider for Bauer Business Focus recently.

“Younger women veterans are so used to a culture that provides everything you need, so when you’re done in the military and return to the civilian world, you have to go out and get everything yourself,” Harris said. “It’s a different experience, and for some, it takes longer to integrate than others.”

Harris and her team aim to help women returning from service find careers and build lives outside the military.

“At the Women Veterans Business Center we believe entrepreneurship is an alternate career path. We have a 10-week curriculum that helps them develop the infrastructure of their business, including feasibility studies, analyze financial reports and do market research until we produce a business plan. At the culmination of the program, they have a stab at their business plan, a living, breathing document that they can use and build on.”

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Steve Koch on Bauer Business Focus, Nov. 23, 2012

Posted November 20th, 2012 - No Comments

On Bauer Business Focus — A conversation on what early Black Friday sales mean for retailers with Andrew Schneider, business reporter for KUHF 88.7 FM.

As consumers prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, retailers are rolling out their Black Friday sales, even before the big day.

Steve Koch, a marketing professor at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business, visited Bauer Business Focus recently to discuss the increasing early date of the start of the holiday shopping season and how it can impact a company’s sales.

“We are competitive in the retail sector. The larger retailers and the smaller retailers are trying to get a competitive advantage through promotion or top of mind,” Koch said. “They want footprints in stores and clicks on the website. To do that, they’re moving things forward on the calendar to preempt their competition.”

This year, mobile devices will bring new implications for businesses with Black Friday promotions, he added.

“The use of mobile devices to shop is a huge dynamic that is evolving and going to be a much greater influence on shopping behavior this year than in prior years. We have apps out there that allow us to do competitive shopping while in the store, and we can review and search for items while we’re in the aisle.”

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Jane Bavineau on Bauer Business Focus, Nov. 16, 2012

Posted November 15th, 2012 - No Comments

On Bauer Business Focus — A conversation on how employers can ease the stress of employees providing care for older loved ones with Andrew Schneider, business reporter for KUHF 88.7 FM.

As the nation’s population continues to age, employees in their mid-40s to early 50s are faced with caring for their elderly loved ones. Not only does this take a toll on their finances and personal health, but also their work life.

Jane Bavineau, vice president of Sheltering Arms Senior Services Division of Neighborhood Centers Inc., stopped by Bauer Business Focus recently to discuss what companies can do to help their employees ease the stress of caring for an older loved one.

“Being a family caregiver is hard work,” Bavineau said. “It affects their health, it affects them emotionally, and it affects finances, so when they are trying to work and take care of an elder loved one, it is stressful.”

As many companies are beginning to recognize the need to provide support for caregivers, there are tools that companies can provide that can be helpful, according to Bavineau.

“We love to see companies do seminars that allows caregivers to learn how to take better care of themselves and learn about the resources available. Sheltering Arms Senior Services also offers a program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers which is a six week class where caregivers attend and learn how to communicate with healthcare providers that an older loved one sees among other things.”

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