From recycling packaging materials, to using equipment that produces zero carbon emissions, Pro Tapes has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability that is both responsible and necessary.                                                       

In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that Pro Tapes can continue to improve their environmentally friendly practices and maintain their commitment to sustainability.

Reduce Energy Consumption

While Pro Tapes already uses equipment that produces zero carbon, there is always room for improvement when it comes to reducing energy consumption.

One way to achieve this is by conducting an energy audit of our facilities. This would help identify areas where energy is being wasted and provide recommendations for reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency.

Pro Tapes has already invested in energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, which have significantly reduced energy consumption and lowered utility costs over time.

Explore Alternative Packaging Materials

While Pro Tapes currently uses packaging materials that are predominantly made from recycled materials, we are always looking at alternative materials that are even more environmentally friendly.

For example, we have explored the use of biodegradable packaging materials or materials made from renewable resources. By researching and testing alternative materials, we are looking to potentially reduce the environmental impact of our package materials even further while still maintaining the same level of protection for their products during shipment.

Implement a Waste Reduction Program

While Pro Tapes already recycles nearly 80% of the packaging materials we receive from our suppliers, we’re studying additional opportunities to reduce waste.

One option is to find ways to improve upon our waste reduction program, which encourages employees to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This includes initiatives such as using reusable containers for lunches, providing recycling bins throughout the facilities, and encouraging employees to print only when necessary.

By finding more ways to reduce waste, Pro Tapes not only helps to improve our environmental impact but also save money on waste disposal costs.

Encourage Sustainable Transportation

Pro Tapes encourages sustainable transportation among their employees.

We look for ways to help coordinate for carpooling and provide information to make public transportation more viable. We also provide secure bike storage for employees who choose to cycle to work.

By promoting sustainable transportation, Pro Tapes helps reduce our carbon footprint and potentially reduce traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.

We at Pro Tapes have already demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. However, there are always opportunities to improve and reduce our environmental impact even further.

By implementing the suggestions outlined above, Pro Tapes will continue to be a leader not only due to how we create innovative solutions for our customers, but also in how we help create a more sustainable future.

The post Creating a Sustainable Future at Pro Tapes appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Falls & Co. for Shurtape

Emily Baker | 216.696.5659 | ebaker@fallsandco.com

Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Acquires Pro Tapes & Specialties, Inc.

-Transaction poised to accelerate growth for both companies through increased investments in manufacturing capacity, sales efforts and marketing activities-

HICKORY, NC – (December 5, 2022) – Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading producer of pressure-sensitive tapes, today announces the acquisition of Pro Tapes & Specialties, Inc., a tape manufacturer and converter that services a variety of markets, including graphic arts, library and school supply, precision die-cutting and fabricating, contract and custom converting, retail and general industrial. The culmination of a nearly two-decade partnership, the transaction brings together two companies that share a relentless commitment to exceptional product quality and innovation as well as industry-leading customer service.

“For almost 20 years, Shurtape and Pro Tapes have maintained a unique and highly successful sales and marketing alliance, and this acquisition represents the next logical step in our journey together,” said Vuk Trivanovic, CEO of Shurtape Technologies. “Now working together more closely than ever, we expect to accelerate our combined growth by delivering even greater value to our customers through strategic investments in manufacturing capacity, IT capabilities and sales and marketing initiatives.”

Founded in 1977 to service motion picture and theatrical production firms in New York City, Pro Tapes quickly became one of the largest manufacturers and innovators of premium tape products designed specifically for use in the Arts & Entertainment industry. Today, the company offers a full spectrum of converting capabilities and end-to-end manufacturing solutions, servicing customers and markets in countries all over the globe.

“We are excited about the future and look forward to the growth that this continued partnership makes possible for our businesses, employees and valued customers,” said Ed Miller, President of Pro Tapes & Specialties. “Together, we remain dedicated to delivering unmatched innovation, service and quality to the industries we serve and look forward to providing our customers with a broad range of product options and enhanced service capabilities to meet their ever-evolving needs.”

Pro Tapes will become a subsidiary of Shurtape Technologies and continue to operate its facility in North Brunswick, N.J. The management teams and employees at both Pro Tapes and Shurtape will remain unchanged, ensuring there will be no disruptions in communications, service, product development or sales coverage.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

For more information on Shurtape Technologies, visit ShurtapeTech.com. For more information on Pro Tapes, visit ProTapes.com.

###

SHURTAPE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Based in Hickory, N.C., Shurtape Technologies, LLC, is an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Peru, United Arab Emirates, China and Australia. Together, our subsidiaries serve numerous markets, including industrial/MRO, building and construction, packaging, electrical, stucco, HVAC, professional paint, automotive, marine, aerospace, arts and entertainment, graphic arts, sound control, medical, DIY, home and office, and retail. In addition to specialty adhesive solutions, Shurtape Technologies offers products under recognizable brand names such as Duck^®, FrogTape^®, T-Rex^®, Painter’s Mate^®, Shurtape^® and Kip^®. Learn more at ShurtapeTech.com.

PRO TAPES & SPECIALTIES, INC.

Headquartered in North Brunswick, N.J., Pro Tapes & Specialties is a tape manufacturer and adhesive tape converter with over 45 years of experience. Founded in 1977 to service the motion picture and theatrical productions in New York City, Pro Tapes quickly became one of the largest manufacturers and innovators of premium tape products designed specifically for use in the Arts & Entertainment industry. Today, the company offers a full spectrum of converting capabilities and end-to-end manufacturing solutions servicing customers and markets in countries all over the globe. Learn more at ProTapes.com.

The post Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Acquires Pro Tapes & Specialties, Inc. appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

Without putting the appropriate employee safety measures in place well in advance of (successfully) reopening your business, you’re destined for failure before you get started. Let’s face it, a big part of a successful reopening will be overcoming the psychological effects of this pandemic.

Many folks are scared & anxious to head back out into the world after months of being quarantined, and the last thing you need is an employee becoming ill the first week back on the job.

With that in mind, here are 10 safe-operational “Best Practices” you should consider implementing before you re-open your business:

#1: Assess your Workers’ Individual Risk Factors

Old age, presence of chronic medical conditions (including immunocompromising conditions) pregnancy; these are all factors to consider. Implement Controls necessary to address those in higher-risk categories, such as making arrangements for at-home working accommodations or physical spacing in order to isolate your high-risk employees from your lower or less at risk employees.

#2: Consider Flexible Worksites and Flexible Hours

Employers should explore whether they can establish policies and practices, such as flexible worksites (e.g., telecommuting) and flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts), to increase the physical distance between employees in order to avoid clusters of employees working in close physical proximity, or reducing the overall number of employees in the building at one time.

#3: Reconfigure Your Operational Layout

Consider reconfiguring your operational layout to create the appropriate physical distance between workstations, equipment & assembly lines. Where ever possible, eliminate areas that lead to employee clusters for prolonged periods of time. Eliminate the use of time-clocks that require physical touching, or excess employee congregating in one central area.

#4: Start Each Day with a Wellness Check

Establish Daily pre-work wellness checks. As each employee enters the building at the start of each business day, their temperature should be taken and recorded to insure they are not running a fever. A template form should be created to include a checkbox system indicating if your employees are experiencing any problematic symptoms (Score throat, chills, headache, stiffness or soreness, etc.)

#5: Maintain (And Improve) Good Housekeeping Practices

Maintain regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, equipment, and other elements of the work environment. When choosing cleaning chemicals, employers should consult information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectant labels with claims against emerging viral pathogens.

#6: Promote Personal Hygiene (with PPE)

Create a work environment that promotes personal hygiene (and provide the resources if necessary.) For example, provide personal protective equipment such as gloves & masks, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol, disinfectants, and disposable towels for workers to clean their work surfaces. Provide the proper resources for the clean & safe disposal of all used PPE.

#7: Incorporate Health Training and Education

Incorporate health training & educational resources as part of your on-going training programs. Increasing employee awareness as to how viruses are spread and how to monitor for early warning signs of illness in themselves & fellow employees will help provide for prompt identification and early intervention of outbreaks.

#8: Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home

Revise human resource policies to encourage sick employees to stay home when feeling ill. Provide a level of flexibility in the use of paid time off, or increase the availability of PTO in the case of illness. Provide the same level of flexibility when it comes to providing paid time off to care for sick family members or address child care concerns in the event of illness.

#9: Develop & Promote Open Lines of Communication

Develop & promote open lines of communication across your organization. Work within the privacy protections afforded your employees with HIPAA laws, but openly communicate news of any outbreaks within your organization. Develop a system that allows for speedy & accurate dissemination of information in the event that one of your employees becomes infected or has been exposed to someone who has been infected. Be able to rapidly trace all inter-employee contact within your organization, so that you can quickly notify & isolate any of your employees who may be contagious.

#10: Invest Upfront in Preventive Health Maintenance

By providing for extra paid time to allow for pre-work wellness checks, or allowing for extra paid break time to encourage proper hygiene practices like hand washing & proper disposal of used PPE, you’re actually saving money by preventing a very costly outbreak. It’s important to remember that the cost you’re investing on these up front preventive measures, will pale in comparison to the cost you’ll incur if you experience a wide spread breakout. Remember, without our heath we have nothing.

The post How Do I Safely Re-Open My Business? 10 Guidelines for Re-Opening in a Covid-19 World appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

Year Five will be a special year for our partnership, as we help the Minding Our Business program expand to include business mentoring and business networking to their already robust entrepreneur training curriculum.

Since its inception at Rider University in 1997,

Minding Our Business has been successfully providing at-risk youth in historically underserved communities in New Jersey with education and training about business, money management, and entrepreneurship. To date, the Minding Our Business program has served over 5,500 young men and women with training opportunities.

Pro Tapes® guiding principles are built on maintaining a strong sense of social responsibility. The serious issues that we, as a nation, face today are a reflection of an economy that has allowed too many Americans to fall behind. In order to build a more inclusive economy, we must provide more educational opportunities for low-income communities and people of color, but also provide access to the businesses that would most benefit from this education.

The educational opportunities offered by the Minding Our Business program are truly unique.

They go beyond the traditional business-based lessons involving accounting, marketing, and finance.

The expanded Minding Our Business program offers access to business networking, access to internship programs, and the ability to hone interviewing skills. Understanding how to build & operate a business are indeed valuable skills to process, but understanding how to gain access to the business arena is a game changer. Having the skills and knowledge are only a part of the equation; knowing how to gain access to the business arena is the total package.

Pro Tapes® is excited about the possibilities our 5^th year of partnership with Minding Our Business will create.

Many companies are looking for ways to help affect positive change, and I know of no better way than to help to build a more inclusive economy.

I would encourage other corporations to join us in supporting programs like Minding Our Business, they do fantastic work and could use your help. Visit their website here to learn more.

Update: NEW Entrepreneurial Enclave Podcast!

Pro Tapes® is proud to be a sponsor of MOB’s new podcast; plus, we’re featured in the first episode!

Click HERE to listen to the first episode and subscribe!

About “The Entrepreneurial Enclave:” Are you always coming up with ideas? Do you marvel at successful business owners? Do you hate being told what to do? Ever take things apart just to see how they work? Are you a dreamer? If you’ve answered yes to ANY of these questions, this podcast is for you. Welcome to the Entrepreneurial Enclave with Kevin Wortham. The podcast that focuses on building, maintaining, pivoting, planning, and investing in you – The Entrepreneur!

The post Pro Tapes® Expands its Partnership in 5th Year with Youth-Based Entrepreneurship Program, “Minding Our Business” appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

An Update:

[May 27th, 2020] Response to the Pro Tapes Small Business Advisory Network has been fantastic! If you’d like to have access to valuable insight and resources to help accelerate your business recovery drop us an e-mail: www.probusnet@protapes.com

We’d love to connect you to the help you need.

“Business Leaders Lean on personal networks for advice on safely reopening”

In this article by William Boston for The Wall Street Journal this week, we learn that “ex­ec­u­tives look­ing for the best way to virus-proof their business are in­creas­ingly turn­ing to one group for ad­vice and feed­back: fel­low busi­ness lead­ers.”

“…Sup­port net­works of business owners and ex­ec­u­tives have emerged as a source of support, as well as a resource for information. Built on top of preex­ist­ing business relationships, mem­bers swap virus-proof­ing recipes, establishing best practices, dis­cuss pol­icy changes, and pon­der the longer-term im­pact of this pandemic, such as managing remote employees.”

Boston, William, “In the Covid Era, CEOs Repurpose Their Personal Networks to Talk Virus.” The Wall Street Journal

Pro Tapes® has established its small business resource network to help pool and share the collective informational resources of our customers, suppliers and long-time business associates. We look forward to using this network as an exchange in which our network members can readily access and contribute useful information that helps accelerate the economic recovery of all of our businesses.

Our aim is to connect small businesses to sources of information that will help them safely and quickly recover from the economic impact of the Covid-19 shutdown.

Access to information & resources will include operational safety, cash management & finance strategies, sales & marketing strategies and sourcing of material & services.

If you are interested in participating please drop us an email at ProBusnet@protapes.com

The post Announcing the Pro Tapes® Small Business Advisory Network appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

Who are we, and how can we help the medical community?

Pro Tapes® is a specialty tape manufacturer with unique converting capabilities. We stand ready to lend our services and equipment to any organization aiding in our nation’s medical response to the current pandemic.

Whether you are in the medical materials, medical device, or medical adhesives markets – we can help!

Pro Tapes® can lend support in the areas of wide web slitting and converting of flexible medical grade materials, laminating of medical grade adhesives, shrink packaging and labeling of medical grade rolls and materials.

We can supply tapes for self-sealing sterilization bags. We can supply long length rolls, minimizing change over for automated applications in the manufacturing process of the bags.

We offer inventory management solutions as well! Give us your blanket orders with scheduled release dates and we will ship as needed, on time (every time!) we handle order fulfillment for you.

To find out more about our services and products, please use the form at the bottom of this page to contact us.

New Jersey essential businesses and residents: We stand together during this crisis.

Pro Tapes® proudly supplies products that are made in America, and supports thousands of American families.

Pro Tapes® is a diverse and resilient company, well positioned to address various challenges. We are committed to our customers and partners, and stand prepared to help each other weather this storm.

Our priorities center on the protection and safety of our employees, and service and support for our business partners and customers.

Our Production, Shipping & Receiving Departments remain operational. We are committed to maintaining our standard service levels and providing our customers with continuous timely communication.

To get in touch with a Sales Representative, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

Our best thoughts to all of our customers and partners, our Pro®’s, and your families. Together let’s push through this.

Ed Miller

President, Pro Tapes & Specialties, Inc.

#essentialbusiness #medicalconverting #newjersey

The post Pro Tapes® is a NJ Essential Manufacturer During the Covid-19 Crisis appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

The server introduces himself to you and proceeds to ask a few questions about your various preferences for the evening: would you like something from the bar, sparkling or still water, do you have any food allergies, any particular food preferences you may be in the mood for. He makes a few recommendations, and leaves you with the menus as he heads to the bar to put in your drink order.

He quickly returns with your cocktails, and you order your meal…

The food arrives in a timely fashion and it’s perfectly delicious. You’re not quite done with your meal when the bus-boy suddenly comes by and begins removing all of the plates and cutlery off your table. It’s abrupt and certainly not welcome, but it’s not the end of the world. The server then brings you the check. As you offer up your credit card, you’re informed that this establishment only accepts cash, which you happen to be low on at this time. Your server apologizes and directs you to the ATM that’s two blocks away. Left with no choice, you jog down to the ATM and back to pay the bill, then you leave as quickly as you can.

The next day a friend asks you, “So, what did you think of that new place?”… How would you answer?

A great customer experience encompasses the entire experience, not just your contact with the customer service department or sales rep. Great organizations understand that it’s every employee’s responsibility to ensure a great customer experience, whether you’re directly servicing the customer or supporting someone else who is directly servicing the customer. Creating a High Quality customer experience is literally a Team effort, and as our hypothetical dining experience shows, even the smallest negative interaction with a customer can spoil an otherwise excellent experience.

At Pro Tapes^® we work hard every day to engage and educate our employees on the importance of creating a High Quality Customer experience.

We challenge them to not only create Great Customer Experiences, but to perpetually enhance our customer’s experience. Here are 5 ways we look to ensure High Quality Customer Experiences:

#1: Build a culture that seeks and values customer feedback

It’s difficult to exceed, let alone meet your customer’s expectations, if you don’t know what those expectations are. At Pro Tapes^® we continuously ask, survey and probe our customers for feedback in order to better understand our customer’s unique requirements & expectations. We humbly accept our customer’s feedback, and try to incorporate good constructive feedback into all aspects of our company.

#2: Build deep constructive relationships with our customers

It’s imperative to understand who your customers are – and we’re not just talking about applications or service requirements. We try to understand the unique aspects of our customers as people, as well as the companies they work for. It’s important to Pro Tapes^® that we’re viewed as more than simply a vendor or supplier, as we strive to build actual friendships with our customers. It doesn’t surprise us much when our customer service reps or sales reps receive birthday cards and even wedding invitations! Long-standing work relationships evolve into actual friendships more times than you’d realize.

#3: Reward our loyal customers

Loyalty is a two way street, and far too often it’s taken for granted. At Pro Tapes^® our customer’s loyalty is rewarded in various ways, whether it’s providing co-op marketing funds, providing sales lead referrals, or helping our customers work through down-turns in business cycles by offering flexible payments terms. Pro Tapes^® is always looking to reward our long-standing loyal business partners.

#4: Quality, Quality, Quality

At Pro Tapes^® we understand that Quality means more than a defect-free product. Quality encompasses everything we do, and how we do it. We work hard to train our team on the importance of adhering to our procedures so that all of our customers receive timely and accurate information. Whether our customers are looking for product recommendations, certificates of compliance, or shipping documents and delivery guarantees, we understand that the quality of the information being provided is as vital as our defect-free products.

#5: Express your Gratitude (Always!)

We understand that our customers have choices, particularly in today’s day and age. Access to alternative products is just a mouse-click away. That’s why it’s important to Pro Tapes^® that we continuously remind our customers that we are grateful for their business. Whenever we have an opportunity to let our customers know how much we appreciate them (no matter how many times we may have done so in the past), we do not hesitate to thank them. Simple things like dropping the occasional thank-you note in the mail or just signing off an e-mail exchange with a Thank You, taking the time to express our gratitude in any number of ways ensures our customers know we are truly grateful for their business. It’s a nice way to complete a Great Customer Experience!

The post 5 Ways Pro Tapes® Creates a High Quality Customer Experience appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

They help to distinguish the truly exceptional from the rest of the pack. They separate the mediocre from the good, and the good from the truly great.

Whether on the football field or in the board room, here are 5 universal skills that Great Coaches and Great Business leaders have in common.

1. The ability to Teach.

All coaches at the highest levels possess a tremendous amount of knowledge about the given sport they coach, and you would be hard pressed to find much in the way of strategy, technique or conditioning that isn’t universally known throughout elite coaching circles. Yet it’s not the teams with the coaches who know the most who win championships, but rather it’s the team with the players who know the most that usually wind up wearing the ring in the end.

What distinguishes the great leaders from the rest is the ability to clearly articulate the mission, the vision and the expectations of the organization in a way that resonates throughout the entire organization. Great Leaders have the ability to explain things in a way that simplifies the complicated, so that everyone is engaged in the pursuit of the objective. It’s hard to win Championships with players who don’t understand what’s expected of them, or with players who don’t know their assignments on a given play.

Likewise, you can’t meet your profit goals if your employees aren’t engaged with the company’s mission, and don’t understand how they contribute to the collective objectives of the organization. It’s the Leaders job to “Teach” the individuals within their organization what they need to do in order to contribute to the broader organizational objectives, how they need to perform the tasks required, and why they are being asked to do it. Teaching (training) leads to understanding, and understanding leads to engagement, and engagement leads to success.

2. The ability to hire Smart people.

If being a great teacher is an essential skill for great leadership, then hiring smart people would go a long way toward helping make teaching a lot easier. Great Coaches have a unique ability for finding the right-fits for their teams when it comes to player evaluations, and like a Great coach, Great Business leaders have the ability to hire smart people. It’s imperative to make sure that the people recruited into an organization possess the prerequisite character traits that align well with the organization’s core values, and the ability to learn quickly should be foremost when evaluating a new hire. Identifying smart fits for an organization isn’t easy. If it were, every organization would be world class – but great leaders have a knack for identifying smart people who often “click” in terms of fitting an organization’s core values and they enhance the team’s chemistry.

3. The ability to motivate.

Great coaches understand how to motivate their players, and more importantly, they understand that not all players are motivated the same way. Some players respond well to being challenged directly and rise to the occasion, while others will crumple if challenged too harshly. Some players need to be continuously praised, while others respond better to occasional criticism. The great coaches know that all players are different and a “one size fits all” approach to motivation simply doesn’t work.

Just like Great Coaches, Great Business leaders find a way to understand what drives the individual. Great business leaders continuously probe for ways to keep their people motivated, and they understand that motivational tactics tend to dissipate over time, so they are continuously developing new incentive programs. The same bonus plan run year after year may no longer resonate the way it used to, and a fresh compensation plan may be the shot in the arm that your team is looking for.

Great Leaders also understand that motivational methods need to change as employees advance within the organization. Just as coaches understand that motivating a rookie is a lot different from motivating a 10 year veteran, great business leaders understand that employee’s motivational drive can change as they advance in their careers. Great Business leaders understand how to modify their motivational methods so that they evolve along with their people’s career development.

4. The ability to develop relationships.

Great coaches inevitably leave lasting impressions on the players they come in contact with, and by and large, are usually some of the most influential people in the life’s of their players. Great coaches have the ability to develop relationships that transcend the playing field and extend into their players’ lives. Great Business leaders also have an ability to develop strong relationships with the people in their organizations. Listening effectively to better understand how they can support their employees in pursuit of their goals, investing the time needed to help them develop professionally, as well as personally, and establishing a trusting bond that extends beyond the 9 to 5 work day.

Great Coaches & Great Business leaders understand the positive impact that strong relationships have on highly functioning teams & organizations alike. You’re more willing to sacrifice, work hard, and battle for the people you have strong relationships with, particularly when you feel your leader is willing to do the same for you. Great leaders understand that their people have lives outside of work, and they work hard to help their people balance the requirements of the job with their family obligations. When two people go through tough times together, as well as enjoy the results of their hard work together, strong bonds are developed. Great leaders understand that strong relationships can make all the difference when it comes down to getting your team to go that extra mile in order to achieve great things.

5. The ability to develop Leaders.

Great coaches produce great coaches. Just look at someone like Bill Parcells. Parcells’ “coaching tree” has branched out to produce great coaches like Bill Belichick & Sean Payton, who in-turn have produced several successful NFL head coaches in their own right. Like a great coaching tree, a great business leader has the ability to develop great leaders throughout their organization, as well as produce leaders who go on to lead other organizations.

A good test of one’s leadership has always been to measure the number of quality leaders you’ve helped produce. Take a look at your “leadership tree.” How many top line leaders have you helped to develop over your career? Great Leaders have the ability to be as proud of their people’s accomplishments and development as they are of their own.

The post 5 Skills that Great Coaches & Great Business Leaders Share appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

1. “The Captain Class” by Sam Walker

Sam Walker does a great job of first identifying and ranking the top 16 greatest teams in all sports (sports in which teams consist of five or more members). He then starts identifying what distinguished the top 16 of the greatest teams from all the other celebrated teams in history. After his 11 year study, Sam determined that it was the team captain that each of the exceptional teams was led by that separated them from the pack and made them elite. He then went onto identify the seven traits that each of these team captains processed that made them extraordinary team leaders. I would recommend this book to anyone who’s a sports fan, or someone looking for some insight into being an exceptional leader and exceptional team player.

2. “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

Jocko Willink & Leif Babin are two former US Navy Seals who do a great job of blending insightful anecdotes from the battlefields of Iraq and tying them together with practical business leadership applications. “Extreme Ownership” is a unique and entertaining book on leadership principles and the necessity of applying these principles in a balanced and measured manner. “Extreme ownership” is great read for anyone who is either part of a team or leading a team… “There are no bad teams, only bad leaders” and this book does a fantastic job of explaining the importance of sound, balanced leadership.

3. “The Real-Life MBA” by Jack & Suzy Welch

Jack & Suzy Welch have put together an outstanding guide for building a winning business organization. Jack Welch is the former CEO of General Electric and widely known as one of America’s greatest business leaders, his wife, Suzy Welch, is a bestselling author. Together they have put forth a great manual for any business leader who’s looking to take his or her company to the next level. Whether you’re at the top of the org-chart or a mid-level leader, “The Real life MBA” is a great read that ties all aspects of organizing and operating a winning company together in one comprehensive, yet concise book.

4. “AIQ, How People & Machines Are Smarter Together” by Nick Polson & James Scott

Nick Polson & James Scott, two of America’s leading data scientists, explore the topic of artificial intelligence. Nick and James do a great job of taking you through the development of AI, its evolution, and it’s practical use in today’s business environment. Understanding that there is some level of controversy and fear in that artificial intelligence will replace human activities in the workplace, “AIQ” does a great job of underscoring the overall positive impact that AI has, and will continue to have, on business and on our everyday lives. It’s not man versus machine, but rather man and machine working together in order to make a better world.

5. “The Obstacle Is The Way” by Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday does a great job of using actual historical stories to demonstrate how the ancient philosophy of Stoicism was used to help a number of famous leaders, entrepreneurs, and historical figures overcome difficulties & hardships on their way to success. This book takes what could sound like a dry topic, the philosophy of stoicism, and instead makes for a quick and entertaining read that has many practical business applications. The lessons covered in “The Obstacle Is The Way” will not only help you in the professional life, but will have an equally positive impact on your personal life.

The post 5 Books I Recommend to Our Team Here at Pro Tapes® appeared first on Pro Tapes®.

Here are 4 valuable distinctions that will help you navigate life’s obstacles:

1. Understand the distinction between what’s within your control and what’s outside of your control.

You can’t control the various obstacles fate has in store for you but you can certainly control how you react to them. Understanding that you can control how you perceive these everyday issues will help you better shape your reaction. Pause and take a few minutes before deciding your best response and don’t simply respond in a knee jerk manner. This takes practice, but is a very valuable skill to develop. You’ll find that your initial reaction is usually emotionally charged & negative, and when a bit of time passes, the event usually becomes less overwhelming and less stressful then it originally appeared to be. Don’t let your perception create an obstacle that doesn’t exist. Take a pause and imagine that the event happened to someone other than you, what advice would you give to someone else on how to deal with it? It’s funny how we often give better advice to our friends and family then we’re willing to give to ourselves. Time & control of your perception will make things less negative.

2. Understand the distinction between difficult and complicated.

Far too often we fail to take action because we feel we lack the knowledge, when in reality we often lack the discipline. A good example lies with the way many of us struggle with our weight and staying fit. There really is no secret to maintaining a healthy weight, it’s not complicated at all, although there are hundreds of different diet plans out there. Simply burn more calories than you consume and you’ll lose weight, but how many of us actually have the discipline to do so? Yes, weight loss can be difficult but it’s not complicated. Not everyone can complete complicated task like splitting an atom or performing quantum physics but anyone who is disciplined enough and willing to make enough sacrifices can accomplish things that are difficult. Don’t conflate a lack of knowledge with a lack of discipline.

3. Understanding the distinction between important and urgent.

We’re all challenged by demands on our time and learning the art of time management is a skill onto itself. However, understanding the distinction between tasks that are important and tasks that are urgent is essential if you want to find peace of mind and improve the quality & productivity of both your personal and professional life. Urgent tasks are tasks that are time sensitive, they almost always arrive in the form of interruptions to your otherwise well planned day. Urgent phone calls, impromptu meetings and emails often fall into the urgent category but are seldom important. These tasks do not necessarily consume extraordinary amounts of your time, nor is the effort required to complete them out of the ordinary but they usually force their way to the top of your priority list; whether you want them there or not. Important tasks do not always have a deadline associated with them, they are tasks that require more long-term planning and thought. Generally when performing important tasks we are less hurried, less reactionary and more rational. Working on relationships, exercising and developing next year’s business plan are important, but they’re not urgent. Understand that there are certain tasks that can be both urgent and important, such as filing your taxes, submitting your departmental budget, and putting out a fire (both literally & figuratively) is essential for good time management. Remember “what is important is seldom urgent & what is urgent is seldom important” so allocate your time accordingly.

4. Understanding the distinction between fearless and courageous.

I have often felt that one of the more “abused” pieces of advice given out to young aspiring professionals & entrepreneurs is the old “don’t be afraid to fail”, as it seemed to gloss over the very serious consequences that result from failure. I would strongly suggest that you should very much be afraid to fail, however, you shouldn’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying, important distinction! Failure comes with real consequences. People lose their hard-earned money, people lose their jobs, and people’s lives are often altered in ways that take years to recover from. But even in the face of all these consequences, I would still advise you to be courageous in your endeavors, just don’t be fearless. Fearlessness is a mental disorder, courageousness is a character trait. Fear, if harnessed, can be a great motivational tool used to drive you toward success. Fear needs to be managed & controlled, but should never be ignored. Enter into your business ventures with your eyes wide open, always be aware of the consequences failure will bring but confident in your ability and your plan, and courageous in your actions.

These important distinctions can become more clear and precise when we learn that it’s our own perception that is often times blurring the lines of contrast between similar things and keeping these lines visibly identified by controlling your perceptions is the key to successfully navigating the obstacles everyday life puts in your way.

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