A Better Run Might be as Simple as Using this Alternate Lacing Technique

In the running world, there is a popular term called “lace creep”, or an ill-fitting shoe not properly laced to meet the unique needs of a person’s foot. If you are feeling discomfort or “hot spots” on your feet after using your running shoes, do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Simply try an alternative lacing system first, before buying a new shoe. There are many simple alternatives to the traditional crisscrossing lacing technique and finding the right one for you can make all the difference when hitting the pavement, trails or treadmill.

Running shoe designer, Altra, suggests the following approach for runners with a wider forefoot, or those just looking for more space for their feet to relax. It is both their own and their customers’ favorite lacing system allowing for the forefoot to expand and breathe while securing the heel and preventing lace creep:

1. Start by running the lace straight across the bottom, over the tongue and downward into the shoe. Make sure both sides of the remaining lace are equal.

2. Without crossing, skip under to the second set of holes, then over to the third set of holes.

3. From the third holes to the fourth holes, cross the laces over the top of each other and insert downward into the holes on the opposite side. Continue this crossing technique until you reach the second-to-last set of holes.

4. String the lace into the last holes upward from underneath. Create a small loop with each end by threading the lace back into the same hole.

5. Slide the remaining lace from the opposite side into the hole.

Image Source: womenshealthmag.com

Other lacing tips:

• The laces over the top of the arch/instep are loose enough to comfortably fit your finger after the shoe is tied.

• The lacing should fit snuggly at the heel, relaxed over the arch and roomy at the forefoot.

• It may feel "too loose" at first, but the foot will learn to spread out and relax.

For more on marathon running and related tips, please visit Steven Rindner's homepage.

Age is just a number: Career tips for young startup CEOs

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In business, older professionals have the advantage of wisdom, which means that they're well-equipped to prevent businesses from repeating mistakes. However, young professionals typically have energy and flexibility, which are important in a world of quick adjustments. They also tend to be more receptive to new ideas and willing to take risks.

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Although there certainly isn't a dearth of young CEOs, becoming the head of a business isn't as easy as seems: successful young CEOs like Jack Dorsey of Twitter and David Karp of Tumblr are on the rise, but are not yet the norm. The following are some simple career tips for those who want to work their way to the top before they reach their 40th birthday.  

Learn to network

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Few startup owners have the financial ability to fund their enterprise on their own, and investors are necessary for further business growth. Networking is crucial in building a business. Building and maintaining professional and personal relationships help young CEOs find new talent for their team, meet potential business partners and clients early, and make their presence known to potential investors.

Networking can also help startup CEOs determine, in the case of acquisition, whether a large company would be a good fit. Aspiring young CEOs can attend and host networking events and participate in online networking.  

Be confident

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It's important for entrepreneurs to trust themselves and be confident in their decisions. While advice and feedback from others are important, young professionals should be wary of both well-meaning folk with misguided advice and those with ulterior motives.

Don't try to do everything alone

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Often, young CEOS will fall in love with their business so much that they'll insist on micro-managing.

Although it's true that CEOs have a responsibility to make sure that their businesses are running smoothly, it's important to find team members who are trustworthy and just as committed to the success of their companies and delegate other simpler aspects of the business to them.

Younger CEOs will benefit greatly from insights and should seek the advice of mentors and corporate development coaches so they can wend their way through the murky waters of new businesses.  

For more business articles, subscribe to this Steven Rindner blog.

New Running Shoe is the “Sensible Alternative to FiveFingers”

At only a few years old, Colorado-based running shoe company, Altra, is a relatively new addition to the industry. But do not let their youth fool you. Their visionary products are being touted as some of the best technical shoes a runner can find, designed specifically to help an athlete run with proper form and posture to minimize not only injury, but wear-and-tear on the shoe. Altra is becoming most known for their innovative “zero drop” technology, as the “sensible alternative to FiveFingers” barefoot running.

Altra’s zero drop became what it is today (one of the Top 10 running shoe brands) out of years of observation at Golden Harper’s family's running store in the Wasatch Mountains. A competitive runner himself, Harper says that he wanted to do more for his customers complaining of knee pain, shin splints and recurring foot pain. He began melting the outsoles off of traditional running shoes with a toaster oven to level the cushioning to a "zero drop" position where the heel is at the same level as the forefoot. (Traditional shoes typically have a 2:1 heel-to-toe ratio.)

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This approach worked so well at reducing injuries for over 1000 happy customers, that Harper began designing his own line of running shoes. Vibram’s FiveFingers, the glove-like footwear that has become nationally popular and sparked the barefoot running movement, also offers zero drop; however, according to their own website, the shoe was never intended to be a full-distance running shoe. Many believers in natural running have therefore become injured in the process.

In addition to the fully-cushioned zero drop and a more natural foot strike, Altra running shoes have three other characteristics that set them apart from FiveFingers:

1. A very wide toe box meant to offer a more relaxed foot and therefore a more natural posture while running.

2. Incredible flexibility and durability in their choice of materials. The shoes can be bent in half and twisted – something a traditional shoe typically cannot do because of its rigid structure.

3. Gender specific designs to meet the physiological differences between the male and female feet/gait.

For more on Marathon running and related tips, please visit Steven Rindner's homepage.

A look at three modern CEOs

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The roles of CEOs have changed over the past few decades. Amidst today’s technological advancements and the ever-changing business landscape, CEOs are commonly perceived as heroes that shape and move companies towards success.

Harvard Business Review has listed the best performing CEOs based on performance, reputation, popularity and celebrity status. The list includes:

Steve Jobs. Widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer evolution, Steve Jobs has left a legacy as an influential leader in the fields of computer and consumer electronics. After Apple's founding, he became a symbol of his company and industry. American business magnate and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates notes: "His ability to always come around and figure out where that next bet should be has been phenomenal."

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Jeff Bezos. E-commerce pioneer Jeff Bezos defined online shopping by ushering in a new era in business. As a leader, Forbes acknowledged Bezos’ core competency as an “industry transformer,” ultimately changing the way people shop. BBCNews.com describes him saying: "If the Internet was the new rock and roll, Jeff Bezos…was its Elvis … [Today he’s] the ultimate dotcom survivor."

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Yun Jong Yong. Having been part of Samsung for almost 40 years, Yun has made the company one of the world's fastest-growing brands with its wide array of products—from feature-packed digital gadgets to state-of-the-art semiconductor chips. He is also known for his efficiency campaign, which closed factories for weeks to cut inventories, slashing the workforce by one-third, and selling off dozens of noncore divisions.

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Steven Rindner is a business and corporate development executive with experience in media, technology, real estate services, and healthcare businesses. Learn more about corporate leadership by following his Twitter account.

Business strategy: Harnessing social media's potential

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Fact: Social networking platforms are here to stay for good.

Though many entrepreneurs still view these tools as irrelevant and a waste of time, business leaders who value their online presence would agree that these tools are material. Utilizing social media’s full potential is effective in providing better service and good customer relations. With that, Robert Wynne of Forbes presents some social media rules for business promotion and PR:

Rule 1 - Let customers know that the company is there to not over-promise and under-deliver but the other way around.

Rule 2 - Make posts straightforward and short because customers champion rousing and meaningful content over lengthy and boring announcements.

Rule 3 - Be newsworthy, taking into consideration the speed and relevance of the posts, as well as hashtags and real-time updates.

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Rule 4 - Offer help to customers by giving them tidbits of what’s relevant and useful to them in real time.

Rule 5 - Determine whether or not to use Facebook and knowing how and why customers use it.

The key to a winning social media campaign, whether for PR, promotion, or whatnot, is to target valuable customers and connect with them on a personal level. Strategy and media planning are always helpful steps in attaining this goal.

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Online media plays a crucial role in business success. Steven Rindner, a business expert, helps companies understand this role to gain optimal rewards. For more updates on business strategies and other related discussions, follow this Google+ page.

Experience is part of the business

Experience is part of the business

Academic degree and work experience go hand-in-hand in the making of a successful business executive. In fact, even students pursuing a master’s degree in business administration are often required to have work experience right after college.

A well-respected business and corporate development executive, Steven Rindner was not an exception to this rule. Before holding senior and executive positions in some of the industry’s finest companies, he had to work his way from the bottom.

Unlike other professionals who started early in business, Steven began his career in a different field. A law graduate from New York, he made the big move in the business world by becoming part of AOL, where he helped the company develop and execute strategies for website functionality, advertising, marketing, content, and subscriber acquisition.

With his eagerness to learn, Steven moved up the corporate ladder, where he served as director, executive director, vice president, and then senior vice president. This experience led him to take on more leadership roles in companies such as Citigroup Inc., Kastle Systems International, and Besins Healthcare International.

Steven is just one of the thousands of business executives who have culminated their success through experience. Those who want to make it big in business have to learn that experience is not a substitute for determination and passion but rather an opportunity that can help one go further in the competitive world of business.

Steven Rindner is a business executive with a strong background in business development and growth strategy in media, technology, real estate services, and health care. Learn more about him by visiting this Facebook page.

Quick and Convenient Organic Snack Ideas for Marathon Runners

As Steven Rindner has found in his marathon training, nutrition is often the deciding variable whether his daily run is enjoyable or not. There is nothing worse than indigestion when trying to talk the body into running way past its natural limits. Marathon runners need to focus their nutritional habits on whole, nutrient dense, organic whole foods to keep their bodies in highest condition and to recover quickly. Here are a few ideas for some simple and healthy snacking foods: (Most contain healthy protein and fat for energy. Please note all dairy items are whole fat and organic – a must if consuming this food group.)

• Organic Valley Colby-Jack Cheese Sticks
 • Organic Pickles (wrapped with AppleGate Farms deli turkey slices & organic cream cheese)
• Chocolate Raw Grass-fed Whey Protein Powder mixed with Unsweetened Chocolate Almond Breeze or Organic Valley Organic Whole Milk
• Hard-boiled Eggs

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 • Yo-Baby (Whole Milk) Organic Yogurts or Organic Whole Fat Greek Yogurts
• Organic Baked Blue Corn Chips & Salsa, Pico, or Guacamole (individual servings found at Costco)
• Large Bag of Raw Snap Peas
• Sliced Tri-Colored Peppers
• Bag of Baby Carrots w/ Hummus (individual servings found at Costco)
• Homemade Trail Mix (buy ingredients in bulk and mix together or Whole Foods has a great sprouted trail mix also found in bulk)
• Homemade Tuna or Salmon Salad (individual servings found in cups, cans or foil packs)
• Organic Apples, Grapes, Pears, Berries or Cut-up Melon
 • AppleGate Farms Deli Meat (especially the grass-fed roast beef)
• Organic Whole-Fat Cottage Cheese
• Homemade Popcorn (cooked in palm or coconut oil and topped with Redmond’s RealSalt)

For more information on marathon-worthy nutrition and other tips, visit Steven Rindner’s home page.