Dr. Amara Pope

Magazine Article Author

Practicing mindfulness and being present: Dr. Amara Pope’s journey to bliss

Published by Finding your bliss magazine

In a world filled with distractions, practicing mindfulness and staying present has been key to my journey as a minority woman breaking barriers in both academia and industry. Through mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, and regular exercise, I’ve turned challenges into strengths, balancing my multifaceted life with focus and resilience. These practices have helped me stay grounded, centered, and true to myself.

Curious about how mindfulness can transform your journey? Dive into my story and discover how these practices can help you find your own bliss

Magazine Article Author

North America Diversity and Next Steps

Published by INTELLIGENT build.tech

Market Report

Market Review: North America, Diversity and the Next Steps

Published by Trackunit

I interviewed key construction industry players to create a Market Review on Diversity in Construction. Only 6.2% of US construction workers are women, but the digital shift is creating new opportunities.

In the US and Canada, there is a raft of legislation in place to ensure difference plays no part in the recruitment process. Trackunit’s Amara Pope talks to industry leaders to get their assessment of the state of play on diversity and where construction goes next.

Journal Article

How Canadian R&B artists like Drake and Justin Bieber complicate ideas of race, music and nationality

Published by The Conversation

The article explores how Canadian R&B artists defy traditional racialized genre classifications, blur musical boundaries, and contribute to a redefinition of R&B within the Canadian cultural landscape.

Drake and Justin Bieber are among the biggest popular music stars in the world. Part of their appeal has been blurring pop, hip-hop and R&B — music genres the music business has traditionally segregated along racialized lines.

PhD Dissertation

Canadians Redefining R&B: The Online Marketing of Drake, Justin Bieber, and Jessie Reyez

Accessible on the University of Western Ontario’s online depository

After 7 years of textual research, interviews I conducted with 35 media professionals and marketing executives, industry experiences in various roles of marketing, branding, and communications, and participating in academic conferences and events, I completed my PhD dissertation (405 pages) which provides a(n):

• episodic history of Canadian R&B long overlooked in Canadian media and academia
• investigation of how Bieber, Drake, and Reyez broke into the music industry (networking & media)
• analysis of artists’ & companies’ digital marketing strategies
• critique of how racial and national ideologies still shape music genre classifications
• examination of Bieber’s, Drake’s, and Reyez’s participation in R&B, as racially diverse artists in 2020 when BLM Movements were reinvigorated
• evaluation of Bieber’s, Drake’s, and Reyez’s marketing & release of music during COVID-19 pandemic, when tours were cancelled

Problem-Solution Article: Barriers to Communication

The article, formatted with a focus on presenting problems and solutions, addresses five communication barriers in organizations, including hierarchy, workplace layout, office politics, language, and geography. I provide solutions like encouraging feedback, adopting tailored workplace designs, promoting transparency, creating a communications policy, and leveraging technology for remote work to enhance overall productivity and build rapport among employees.

Guide: Establishing Company Culture in a Remote Team

In this guide, I draw on my own experiences in managing a remote team to discuss the importance of establishing a strong company culture within remote teams. I address various aspects, including the definition and importance of corporate culture, strategies for hiring and onboarding remote employees, the role of communication tools, fostering professional development, recognizing achievements, and addressing the challenge of burnout. The article highlights the necessity of adapting and nurturing a positive culture to ensure the success of remote teams.

Playbook: Managing a Successful Retreat for a Remote Team

In this playbook, I provide a step-by-step guide on organizing a successful company retreat for remote teams, covering considerations, benefits, location selection, logistics, planning tools, and the varying approaches to retreat goals. The playbook emphasizes the positive impact of retreats on team bonding, creativity, and overall company culture, while also addressing practical aspects such as costs, logistics, and potential challenges.

Academic Article

Musical Artists Capitalizing on Hybrid Identities: A Case Study of Drake the “Authentic” “Black” “Canadian” “Rapper”

Published by Stream: Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication, Simon Fraser University

The article investigates how musical artists, exemplified by Drake, construct marketable hybrid identities through music videos, employing ethno-marketing strategies. Utilizing multimodal discourse analysis, the study highlights Drake’s deliberate incorporation of diverse identities to navigate the digital landscape, gain popularity, and capitalize on shared experiences, while acknowledging the artists’ vulnerability to economic, cultural, and political exploitation.

Press Release: Company Update

AnswerConnect celebrated surpassing the one-million mark by planting 1,020,964 trees through their “1 Tree 1 Planet” giving back program in partnership with Trees for the Future (TREES). The initiative, aligned with the COP26 Summit’s discussions on climate change, involves planting a tree for each customer and employee every month, contributing to TREES’ efforts to plant over 225.1 million trees and restore 58,605 acres of forest, sequestering approximately four and a half million metric tons of CO2.

Case Study: Review of Client’s Experience

Based on a list of questions I compiled, I called and scheduled a recorded interview with Chris Swift at McGraw Realtors to talk about his experience with AnswerConnect. I summarized the interview in a compelling case study and followed approval processes before publishing the study. The case study was used in various marketing materials for the company, including social media posts I designed and posted.

Article: Advice to Managers on Delegating Authority

In the article, I stress the significance of effective delegation of authority and task allocation for business owners. I underscore the advantages, such as increased productivity, efficiency, and company morale, as well as improved work quality, achieved by assigning tasks based on individual strengths and utilizing collaboration tools. The article also provides insights into the delegation process, including getting to know team members, employee training, clarifying project expectations, reviewing projects, monitoring progress, and evaluating performance. Additionally, it suggests tools like Asana, Dropbox, Slack, Time Doctor, and Google Apps to facilitate the delegation process.

Example/Strategy: Advice to Employees on Career Goal Setting

In this article formatted through examples and strategies, I explore the importance of creating and managing career goals, offering nine strategies for effective goal setting. I highlight the value of career goal examples, especially in interviews, and emphasize the role of goals in maintaining focus throughout one’s professional journey. The strategies include finding one’s calling, dedicating time to education, developing a robust skill set, aligning goals with life goals, maintaining clarity, being realistic, embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and regularly reevaluating goals. I underscore the importance of specificity, measurability, and alignment with personal aspirations when setting career goals.

Business Etiquette Tips for Managers and Employees

In this article, I explore the importance of creating and managing career goals, offering nine strategies for effective goal setting. I highlight the value of career goal examples, especially in interviews, and emphasizes the role of goals in maintaining focus throughout one’s professional journey. The strategies include finding one’s calling, dedicating time to education, developing a robust skill set, aligning goals with life goals, maintaining clarity, being realistic, embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and regularly reevaluating goals. I underscore the importance of specificity, measurability, and alignment with personal aspirations when setting career goals.

Article on Productivity: Lengthy Listicle

In the listicle, I propose 18 tips to improve your work environment and optimize productivity, emphasizing the importance of personalizing your space, maintaining a consistent routine, and creating a positive atmosphere. The tips include considerations for background noise, rituals, personalization, clutter removal, cleanliness, lighting, breaks, ergonomic practices, hydration, organization, and socializing. The overarching message is that a well-crafted work environment contributes to enhanced well-being, focus, and overall productivity, applicable to both office and remote workers.

Article on Working as a Team Member: Listicle

In the listicle, I highlight 15 qualities of a great team member, emphasizing traits such as self-awareness, commitment to mastery, intrinsic motivation, reliability, honesty, positivity, empathy, good communication, confidence, multitasking ability, detail orientation, autonomy, adaptability, industry understanding, and persistence. I emphasize the impact of these qualities on team dynamics, productivity, and the overall success of the organization, concluding with the importance of selecting team members based on both personality traits and hard skills during the hiring process.

Article on Managing Teams: Listicle

In this listicle, I provide 10 tips to boost workplace teamwork, focusing on morale, role and goal clarity, recognizing achievements, avoiding micromanagement, fostering communication, celebrating individuality, using project management tools, seeking feedback, and making wise hiring decisions. In this article, I highlight the importance of a healthy workplace culture and open communication in naturally enhancing teamwork.

Blog Post Submission Published on Top Toronto Dessert Spots

I volunteered and sent a submission to Culture Trip when I began writing articles, blog posts, and online marketing in 2016. My contribution was accepted and published. By speaking. with local Toronto restaurants, I provided a guide to the best dessert places in Toronto, offering options ranging from vegan and gluten-free treats to classic indulgences. Highlighted spots include Scoop Shop for unique ice cream flavors, Golden Apple Confectionery for artistic fair-trade Swiss chocolate creations, Almond Butterfly for vegan and gluten-free pastries, and Bunner’s Bake Shop, which caters to diverse dietary needs with 100% vegan and gluten-free options, including cinnamon buns and chocolate cake.

Press Release For Report on Blockchain Investments and Trends

I wrote a press release while working as an Account Manager at the Investing News Network on “Top Blockchain Stocks to Watch” by reviewing a compilation of interviews and articles written by INN’s editorial team. The press release highlights a report featuring expert opinions and articles to educate investors on blockchain trends, investment opportunities, and digital currencies. The report, available for download as a PDF or for online viewing, provides insights into top digital currencies, investing in bitcoin, blockchain-related ETFs, and publicly listed blockchain technology stocks, aiming to help investors make informed decisions in this emerging market. available for download as a PDF or for online viewing, provides insights into top digital currencies, investing in bitcoin, blockchain-related ETFs, and publicly listed blockchain technology stocks, aiming to help investors make informed decisions in this emerging market.

Article on Suggested Methods to Energize Team Meetings

I propose ways to transform morning meetings from dull and dreaded to energized and effective. I suggests unconventional approaches, such as starting meetings at odd times, incorporating icebreakers, pop quizzes, and playing games, and even changing the meeting location. I emphasize the importance of a well-planned agenda, early distribution of invites, and the use of technology to enhance meeting efficiency, while also addressing the need for engagement, participation, and time management.

Guide / Tutorial for Mobile App

The guide serves as a way to understand the AnswerConnect mobile app. It is described as a portal to manage your business account, messages, and opportunities, offering features like direct calling, messaging, file sharing, and call recordings. The guide includes graphics, screenshots, and descriptions of tools to personalize service, manage contacts, and enhance communication with your team while emphasizing security through peer-to-peer encryption and SSL-encrypted video calls.

Press Release: Gold Report for Investors

I wrote a press release to promote INN’s 2018 Gold Stocks and Investment Report, a free collection of articles and expert opinions designed to educate investors on gold trends, forecasts, and investment opportunities. The report, available for download as a PDF or online viewing, covers the top gold news stories of 2017, quarter-by-quarter reviews of gold trends with expert commentary, and discussions on the 2018 gold forecast with executives from leading gold companies, aiming to provide valuable insights for investors interested in the industry.

Product Marketing Article: Call Forwarding using AnswerConnect

To market and sell AnswerConnect’s offering, I wrote this article providing a comprehensive guide on call forwarding, explaining its purpose, different types (automated, ‘find-me,’ and manual), and how businesses can set it up for effective call management. Emphasizing its importance for modern businesses, the article offers insights on utilizing advanced call forwarding options and answers frequently asked questions, highlighting the virtual service’s role in ensuring professional and human responses to all calls.

Listicle featuring Collaboration & Productivity Tools

The listicle provides 28 collaboration and productivity tools for teams, offering techniques to enhance workflow efficiency, such as daily stand-up meetings, weekly and daily planning, time management techniques like Pomodoro, and the importance of unplugging from the digital world. The mentioned tools include a variety of applications for time tracking, team collaboration, project management, and communication, aiming to assist entrepreneurs and teams in improving their productivity and organization.

Product Marketing Article: 24/7 Live Answering Service

I wrote this article to emphasize the significant benefits of a 24/7 live answering service for businesses, to promote the value of AnswerConnect. I highlighted the role of 24/7 live answering services in improving customer service, personalizing interactions, capturing and qualifying leads, enhancing efficiency, and delivering exceptional service to build a positive reputation. The article underscores the preference for human interaction over automated responses and offers practical insights into how businesses can leverage a live answering services for success.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Friends of Trees

In AnswerConnect’s partnership with Friends of Trees we focused on the possibilities of tree pruning to keep trees healthy across the U.S. and Canada. In the article I defined “tree pruning” and described how Friends of Trees conducts year-round tree planting and summer pruning programs, teaching volunteers the importance of proper pruning techniques for longer-lived, healthier trees that benefit both the environment and communities.

Partnership Announcement: TreePeople x AnswerConnect

In the article, I defined “School Greening” and discussed AnswerConnect partnership with TreePeople to support its school greening program. The partnership aimed at protecting students from extreme weather conditions. The article summarized TreePeople’s success in planting over 3 million trees since 1973, focused on addressing issues such as air and water pollution, extreme heat, and fostering community involvement for the long-term care of the environment.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Forest Ontario

AnswerConnect partnered with Forests Ontario, supporting their 50 Million Tree Program, highlighting Forests Ontario’s commitment to relationship building throughout the tree planting process. Forests Ontario stands out with its comprehensive network of partners and focus on monitoring, having planted over 38.7 million trees with supporters like AnswerConnect to date. The partnership was shared on newsletters emailed to both organizations’ audiences.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Tree Aid

In this partnership announcement, AnswerConnect collaborated with Tree Aid to combat desertification and address climate change by growing trees across Africa’s drylands and training local farmers in sustainable land management methods. Tree Aid’s efforts contribute to restoring degraded land, increasing biodiversity, and supporting initiatives like the Great Green Wall, aligning with AnswerConnect’s commitment to creating a greener Africa.

Partnership Announcement: International Tree Foundation x AnswerConnect

In the article, I emphasized that International Tree Foundation, the oldest tree-planting organization globally, focusing on creating food forests in Africa and the U.K. The initiative supports sustainable ecosystems and addresses food security by training communities in tree planting, promoting biodiversity, and empowering locals, especially women, to combat gender inequality and economic insecurity.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Trees, Water & People

I collaborated with Trees, Water & People, working on reforestation projects in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and American Indian reservations in the United States. Together, we aimed to build resilient communities by educating locals on reforestation’s positive economic and environmental impacts, providing training and tools for sustainable tree planting, creating employment opportunities through community tree nurseries, and empowering youth with renewable energy education in the U.S.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Trees For Life

I collaborated with Trees For Life as AnswerConnect’s Partner, contributing to the rewilding efforts in the Scottish Highlands. Together, we aimed to restore the Caledonian Forest, bringing back the diverse wildlife that once thrived there, and engaged volunteers to plant trees, fostering a healthier, rewilded landscape. This partnership was more extensive and involved a team site visit to the highlights where our employees were able to volunteer their time to get hands-on experiences planting trees.

Partnership Announcement: Tree Canada x AnswerConnect

In the article, I explored Tree Canada’s tree-planting initiatives. As per our partnership, we joined Tree Canada’s National Greening Program dedicated to reforestation and afforestation projects across Canada. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing our planet, as Tree Canada continues to make a significant impact by strategically planting over 83 million trees since 1992.

Partnership Announcement: One Tree Planted x AnswerConnect

In this partnership announcement, I discuss, how AnswerConnect partnered with One Tree Planted to contribute to flood damage restoration projects in British Columbia (B.C.) following the devastating floods in November 2021. I describe the importance of this iniative by explaining how tree planting is an effective method for flood damage restoration, as trees help absorb water, contribute to damage repair, and prevent future damage caused by flooding, with the initiative aiming to protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats in B.C.

Partnership Announcement: AnswerConnect x Texas Trees Foundation

In this article I define a “urban heat island effect” and partner with Texas Trees to tackle it to diminish higher temperatures in densely populated cities. The article explores the phenomenon, emphasizing tree planting as an effective short and long-term solution, citing Texas Trees Foundation’s findings that trees in high-density areas can reduce deaths by more than 20 percent simply by lowering temperatures.