Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Stimulating Look at the History of Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola, the bubbly beverage loved by people all over the world, has a deep, dark secret that has been kept under the radar.

What’s the backstory?

Benay client, Akashic Books, has just released a fascinating new title on the history of coffee, Coca-Cola, caffeine, cocaine, secret formulas, special flavors, Harry J. Anslinger and Prohibition.

A Secret History of Coffee, Coca & Cola provides an in depth examination of caffeine and cocaine. The book covers everything from Peruvian cocaine factories to the questionable personal files of US Bureau of Narcotics Commissioner (and long-time Coca-Cola collaborator) Harry Anslinger, as well as these chemicals’ extremely significant roles in the development of the world’s most recognized beverage brand.

New York Times best-selling illustrator Ricardo Cortes has authored as well as illustrated an intriguing work that highlights the controversy surrounding Coca Cola’s historic use of the internationally banned plant, the coca leaf, the source from which cocaine is derived.

A Secret History of Coffee, Coca & Cola, which includes exceptional illustrations, is sure to interest many. To learn more, visit Akashic’s blog: http://www.akpress.org/secrethistoryofcoffeecocaandcola.html

Do what you do best, and let Benay do the rest!


We are proud to handle financial and operational tasks for Akashic Books, which lets them focus on what they do best – publishing!

Benay's financial dashboard tells clients like Akashic Books exactly what's going on in their business. To see how our dashboard can help accelerate your growth, give me a call or an email.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Business health is more than the bottom line

People are being bombarded at both work and home by events that can seem frighteningly overwhelming: natural disasters, political upheaval, economic uncertainty, and technological changes.


In addition, everyone knows someone who is dealing with personal hardships or losses, both economically and emotionally.

Employers can't be mind readers, but it's important to periodically ask how your employees are doing both at work and in their own personal life. Identifying stressors in the workplace before they impact productivity can head off problems down the road.  

Are you seeing signs of low morale, arguments over minor things, lethargy, increased absenteeism, depression?

Sometimes all it takes is a question to show your employee that you are aware there is something wrong and acknowledge a problem, which is often the first step to finding a solution. It is worth a moment of your time as an employer to show support, compassion and understanding.

These are the true hallmarks of a strong, healthy and compassionate workplace and which reflect a health and balanced company ethic.

Do what you do best; let Benay do the rest!

Benay's financial dashboard tells you exactly what's going on in your business. We help you detect problems and identify opportunities for business growth.

If you or a colleague need a business health check-up, no co-payments are required for a free consultation.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Soho Crime's New Fictional Publication Unveils an Upsetting Truth

Benay client, Soho Crime, Soho Press’s renowned literary international crime imprint, is proud to announce their most recent publication, Invisible Murder. Written by Danish authors Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis, this intense crime fiction brings the controversial and inhumane treatment of an Eastern European minority group known as the Roma (or Gypsies) to the international forefront. Despite their over 1000 year-long presence in Europe, the Roma have, unjustifiably so, not been granted the status as a nationally recognized minority. Moreover, these innocent people have been subject to widespread discrimination, unprovoked verbal abuse, and unfair treatment by the municipal and police offices in Denmark. Kaaberbol and Friis, in their eloquent yet suspenseful writing style, expose readers world-wide to the harsh realities this unfortunate group must face every day. The beauty of fiction has always been the author’s opportunity to, behind the colorful characters and outlandish occurrences, unveil an undeniable truth. The two Danish authors master this concept in their amazing work. Soho Crime has countless publications just as wonderful as Invisible Murder available for your reading pleasure. Within them you will encounter great literary international crime fiction featuring detectives, spies, amateur sleuths, and thieves from all over the globe. Visit SohoPress.com to browse all of their very enjoyable reads.
Michael Iovino, Intern, Benay Enterprises.

Benay Kills!

I was greeted by an eerie silence as I pushed open the glass door and descended the stairs to the Benay Enterprises office. Each step echoed, shattering the sound of silence that irked me upon my entry. As I reached the last step, the squeaking hinge of the closing door alerted me. I glanced over my shoulder to make certain no one had been following. Dead silence awaited me at the bottom of the staircase. Where were the normal sounds my ears have grown accustomed to over the last month? The copy machine was not cranking out page after page. No phones ringing or friendly voices discussing finances; even the sweet cinnamon scent of Merrilee’s air freshener had faded and been replaced by a dingy, musty, nothingness. As I paced up and down the halls, looking for any sign of life, I found that every office door was closed and locked. A light was flickering in Dawn’s office, illuminating the ominously dark hallway from the gaps between door and wall. I knocked. No answer. I knocked again. Still no answer. Fearing Dawn was on a conference call and could not hear me, I knocked again, harder, yet the only noise my ears could make out was the whistle of the windy front left behind in Hurricane Sandy’s wake.
The door to my office was open, and assuming my boss had not arrived yet, I figured I may as well get to work and prove myself a solid intern. I flicked on the light switch, but the lights did not work. No power, I presumed, and  decided it was time to go home. As I quickly fled from the empty office building, I realized my steps were the only thing I could hear. Even more peculiar was the fact that the daily hustle and bustle of downtown Danbury had disappeared, vanished in the matter minutes. Buildings had been set aflame, yet there were no screams for help or ear piercing fire alarms. The only section of Danbury that was not severely affected by the storm suddenly sat in utter darkness. As I rounded the corner and proceeded down the alleyway, I heard signs of life in the distance. With great anticipation, I tiptoed towards the noise. My precaution turned into worry, as the hopeful signs of life revealed themselves as deep and fearful grunts of desperation. Running towards the noises and fearing that others had been severely harmed in some sort of apocalyptic disaster, I failed to realize the only life I should have feared for was my own!
Susan, Merrilee, Dawn, and her son Justin were the source of the ungodly groans. However, their once friendly faces had been deformed and deranged; pale and lifeless skin was peeling from their faces. Deep, open wounds revealed the white of their bones. It was then I realized, I work for a bunch of zombies!!! Paralyzed with fear, I was swarmed by the herd of ruthless savages. As I laid  helplessly, my neck being gnawed at by the lifeless beasts who were once my coworkers and friends, my legs began to tremble. Then, a bell began to ring; I could only assume it was God welcoming my soul into the Heavens. Truth is, it was something even more comforting; the alarm clock on my cellular phone was ringing. All of a sudden, I awoke in a cold sweat, feeling my face and neck to make sure they were still intact. I was alive, and even better, I wasn’t a zombie.
I got dressed and headed to Benay’s office on Main Street. As I opened the door and descended the staircase, the sweet aroma of Merilee’s air freshener welcomed me. The copy machine was cranking out page after page, and more importantly, all the friendly faces I have come to admire cheerfully greeted me upon my entry. I am proud to say that the friendly staff members at Benay Enterprises have not become victims of the zombie apocalypse, and they continue to handle their clients’ financial, bookkeeping, and human resource related needs to the fullest of their very human capabilities. Don’t let the picture frighten you as much as it did me. . Though their exceptional customer service may be out of this world, they are still very much human.

Michael Iovino, Intern, Benay Enterprises.