Rhode Island’s economic recovery is now moving at a pace too slow for many local business leaders to perceive it. more

(Updated, 2:45 p.m.) Sebastopol, Calif.–based Safari Books Online has purchased the PubFactory Electronic Platform, a product developed by RDW Group Inc. subsidiary iFactory, the companies announced Thursday. more

I was recently at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., giving a seminar sponsored by Sales & Marketing Executives International. I had an informal logistics meeting with some of the association members before the event when Jamie, the young woman who directed me to my preparation room, talked to me about her career. I asked her what she was seeking to become. more

Here’s a question I’m getting more often from business owners and startups: What’s the difference between “paid, owned and earned” media for marketing? And how do I use them together? more

Age: 35 more

The first thing to know about Indian cooking, said Sanjiv Dhar, executive chef at and owner of Rasoi in Pawtucket, is that chefs can’t just throw together the ingredients, turn the oven up and go watch a football game. more

David Easterbrooks, director of marketing and business development for Pare Corp., was recently named 2012 marketing professional of the year by the Boston chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services. Easterbrooks has worked as a marketing professional at architectural, engineering and construction firms for more than 25 years. As a member of SMPS Boston, he has served as an educational speaker, committee member, president, vice president, treasurer and director of education. He is a certified professional services marketer and holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. more

The Miami Heat just won the NBA title, and LeBron James, aka “King James,” won the Finals MVP award. more

Lisa Tener, founder of the Bring Your Book to Life program, was recently honored at the American Business Awards with a gold award in the marketing-media category and a bronze award in the executive of the year-media category. Her eight-week program was designed to help writers turn their ideas into published books. Tener holds an M.S. in management, with a concentration in marketing, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to being a published author, she is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School’s continuing education program and regularly presents at the Ocean State Writer’s Conference. more

Every salesperson knows the job is tougher than ever. It’s not for the faint-hearted or those who feel the world owes them a living. At the same time, salespeople recognize the importance of having an extra edge, of standing out from the crowd. more