California takes air quality seriously, which is why all vehicles in the state (even hybrids) are required to pass regular smog tests. California’s emissions standards are some of the strictest in the country, and about 10 percent of vehicles fail. If you’ve been driving your car for years, it can be a shock when your vehicle suddenly doesn’t pass its smog test. But don’t despair—this is an opportunity to improve your car and make sure it’s not contributing excessive pollution to the environment. Read more

If you’re planning to travel and stay with family or friends during the holidays, it’s important to take proactive steps to safeguard your home in your absence. Consider the following tips: Read more

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The other night, I was watching one of my new favorite TV shows, “Black Mirror.” If you’re unfamiliar with the series, it features stories that explore the social implications of how technology might be used in the not-too-distant future. Usually, it’s about how certain technology can lead to disastrous situations when misused, but some episodes take a more optimistic perspective.

The episode I watched, “Nosedive,” is about a society where every individual gets rated on an app based on each encounter they have with a person or business. Their overall rating dictates their socioeconomic status and allows them to earn certain benefits. The main character is a woman who wants a high score in order to qualify for a luxury apartment, Read more

One-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand, four-one thousand. That’s how quickly prospective clients judge your company. In just four seconds, your company has made a first impression, and after four minutes, that impression has solidified. And although this impression can change during the course of an interaction, getting the first impression right gives you a huge competitive advantage. In the first four minutes, your potential customers are quickly answering these subconscious questions about your company: Read more

In my family, August has always meant “back to school” time. Now that one of my daughters is in college and on the quarter system, she doesn’t start until September, but that doesn’t change the fact that August is still a great time to plan for the rest of the year. I think this is common for most families. People are back from their summer vacations and starting to plan their projects for the upcoming months. Whether it’s major car repairs, home remodeling jobs or health checkups they’ve been putting off, this is the time of year when people make the calls.

If you qualify for Diamond Certified, you’ll be in a unique position because you’ll have access to tools that make your company stand out from your competitors and help you capture the best consumers who will keep you busy through the typically slower months of the fall and winter. Read more