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Running a business is daunting. There are too many things to keep track of and everything seems to cost money. So how do you actually grow your company without going crazy or broke? At GreenMellen, we understand the challenges of being business owners. As a digital marketing agency for over a decade, we've got experience helping businesses grow using the latest technology and marketing best practices. The Brighter Web podcast is aimed at sharing practical advice. The show is hosted by GreenMellen partner Mickey Mellen & marketing manager Robert Carnes. Join us to learn about effective organizational processes and digital marketing insights.
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
In this episode, our guest Sanjay Parekh discusses the importance of privacy and security in our digital lives. We discuss the balance between convenience and security, the necessity of using strong passwords and unique email addresses, and the tools available to enhance online safety, including password managers and two-factor authentication.
Sanjay emphasizes the need for individuals and small business owners to take proactive steps to protect their information and offers practical advice for implementing better security practices.
Takeaways
- Privacy and security are essential for everyone, not just celebrities.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Using a debit card can expose you to more risk than a credit card.
- Unique email addresses for each site can help track breaches.
- Password managers are crucial for maintaining strong, unique passwords.
- Two-factor authentication adds an important layer of security.
- Avoid SMS-based two-factor authentication when possible.
- Consider using a secure USB key for backups of sensitive information.
- Think critically about the information you share online.
- Freezing your credit can protect against identity theft.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Privacy and Security
- 05:11 The Importance of Privacy and Security
- 08:55 Finding the Right Balance
- 16:17 Tools for Enhanced Security
- 25:48 Final Thoughts on Security Practices
Links
- Sanjay’s website: https://www.sanjayparekh.com/
- Sanjay on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sanjayparekh.com
- Together Letters: https://www.togetherletters.com/
- Tech Talk Ya’ll: https://www.techtalkyall.com/
- Edgewise Media: https://edgewise.media/
Tech Recs
- Bitwarden: https://bitwarden.com/
- Yubikey: https://www.yubico.com/
- Mozilla Firefox: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
- How to freeze your credit score: https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
What are the most impactful web technologies of all time? We were inspired by another podcast to create our very own unscientific list. What tech made the cut?
Show Notes
Original Hard Fork podcast episode
Our Top 30 Technologies List
- HTML (1993)
- Google (1998)
- AOL (& AIM) (early 90’s)
- iPhone (2007)
- WordPress (2003)
- Wikipedia (2001)
- Cable modems (late 90’s)
- Facebook (2004) / MySpace (2003)
- RSS (1999)
- Gmail (2004)
- Netscape (1994)
- Chrome (2008)
- ChatGPT (2022)
- SSL (1995)
- Dropbox (2008)
- YouTube (2005)
- Twitter (2006)
- Dreamweaver (1997)/Photoshop (1990)
- Reddit (2005)
- Github (2008)
- Constant Contact (1995) → Mailchimp (2001)
- Google Analytics (2005)
- eBay (1995) → Craigslist (1995)
- CSS (1996)
- Salesforce (1999) → Hubspot (2006)
- Blackberry (late 90’s)
- Geocities (1994)
- BBS (late 70’s)
- MapQuest (1996) → Google Maps (2005)
- Archie (1990) → Yahoo (1994) / WebCrawler (1994) → Lycos, Altavista, Hotbot (mid-90’s)
- Linux (1991)
Honorable Mentions
- Google Wave
- Flash animation
- SMS
- PHP
- VPN or TOR
- Java
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
It’s 2025! At the end of 2024, we recorded our reactions to an article predicting some of the biggest trends and ideas for the new year. Which of these will come true and which will flop? Only time will tell.
Original article from LinkedIn: 25 Big Ideas that will change our world in 2025
Here are the items from the list that we discussed in depth:
- #1: AI will lead to a more productive and shorter (four-day) workweek
- #3: Big brands will start inhouse corporate influencers
- #12: Streaming services (like Hulu and Netflix) will start to offer more bundled services
- #13: Social media platforms will continue to splinter and niche down
- #14: Virtual reality (VR) will be used more for travel
- #18: Hybrid work cultures will rely on more in-person meetings like lunches
- #19: AI will allow more businesses to be more accessible (especially online)
- #20: Corporations will start demanding more practical uses of AI
Which of these predictions do you agree with? What do you think is missing from the list?
Email us with feedback at podcast@greenmellenmedia.com.
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
In this episode of the Brighter Web Podcast, we talk to Laura Beth Daws about the critical role of communication in team building. They explore the challenges of hybrid work environments, the importance of self-awareness, and the need for psychological safety within teams.
Laura emphasizes that effective communication is not just about conveying messages but about fostering connections and understanding individual roles within a team. She also highlights the significance of listening as a leadership skill and the value of external perspectives in improving team dynamics.
Links
Takeaways
- Communication is essential for connection and team success.
- Miscommunication often stems from assumptions about ease of communication.
- Self-awareness enhances individual contributions to team dynamics.
- Psychological safety allows team members to express dissenting opinions.
- Listening is a crucial skill for effective leadership.
- Understanding different communication styles can improve interactions.
- External consultants can provide valuable insights into team dynamics.
- Team roles influence how individuals contribute to group success.
- Effective communication can mitigate the challenges of hybrid work.
- Continuous learning about oneself aids in better teamwork.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Team Building and Communication
- 03:00 The Importance of Communication in Teams
- 05:48 Challenges in Hybrid Work Environments
- 08:51 Self-Awareness and Team Dynamics
- 12:02 Psychological Safety in Teams
- 15:12 Listening as a Key Leadership Skill
- 18:00 Utilizing External Perspectives for Improvement
Quotes
- "Miscommunication happens for many reasons."
- "Communication is all about connection."
- "Self-awareness is key for team players."
- "Psychological safety is essential for teams."
Keywords
team building, communication, workplace dynamics, hybrid work, self-awareness, psychological safety, listening skills, leadership, consulting, corporate training
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Diversity is an often discussed but just as frequently misunderstood topic—including in marketing. What does being inclusive in digital marketing mean, and why is it important? We invited a marketer with experience dealing with these questions to join us on the podcast. Let’s learn from Daniela Cintron how we can all be more diverse in our representation to reach wider audiences and connect with them more deeply and authentically.
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
YouTube is the second-largest search engine online and the largest video platform. Video is becoming an increasingly powerful way to reach people online; however, producing and sharing meaningful video content is a challenge. In this episode, we talk to video production professional Kendrich Disch about the basics of growing your following on YouTube.
Links
- verticalriver.co - video production agency in Atlanta
- tubeworks.co - Done for your YouTube channel management
- growthlab.tubeworks.co - DIY resources (courses, templates, downloads, community, etc)
- Rode mics: https://rode.com/en-us/microphones/wireless/wireless-me
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Every small business owner understands that social media is meant to be part of your online presence. But which platforms should you be active on? How often should you post? What’s the goal with social media? Do you need to pay for ads? Liz Bachmann manages organic social media and more for small businesses and joins us on the podcast to answer these questions and more.
Show Notes
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Over 40% of websites are built using WordPress—the popular open-sourced content management system. But do you need to be a web developer to build an effective website using WordPress. To break this down, we invited our friend and WordPress web creator, April Wier, to the podcast.
Links
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Communicating clearly is a cornerstone of effective marketing. But how do you maintain a consistent message across various digital platforms? It begins with great marketing copywriting. To unpack this underappreciated art, we invited freelance copywriter Jessica Fralin on the podcast.
Links
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Despite what you might think, effective digital marketing isn’t free. It takes time and knowledge, and it can often require paid advertising to reach new audiences. The digital ad landscape can be overwhelming, so we invited our friend Mike Scott from Manticore Marketing to walk us through how any small business can get started with ads.